If you’re wondering why Trent Alexander-Arnold played as if he had a point to prove against Arsenal on Saturday, it’s because he did.
The right-back’s departure this season has been one of the most noticeable factors in Liverpool’s collapse. Even before things started to implode for the Reds, his creative numbers had dropped dramatically – he only managed two league assists in the first half of the season.
Whether it’s fatigue, a hangover from last season or just bad form, Liverpool’s golden boy has not been himself for a while, and it all came to a head when Gareth Southgate released him from his latest England squad.
Despite the 22-year-old’s obviously alarming form, it was a decision that triggered some outrage. That left Alexander-Arnold, formerly England’s undisputed first choice, in need of an answer to have any chance of going to the euro in the summer.
If he was angry at Southgate, he took it out on Arsenal. He bit back with one of the most focused, driven performances we’ve seen from him in a while.
He often won the ball back and did serious damage with it, he was by far Liverpool’s best player when they ran to a 3-0 victory. He had his intensity back – take a look at his celebration after his cross found Diogo Jota to open the scoring.
Let us appreciate this cross from Alexander-Arnold. ? pic.twitter.com/osbhTGWwRJ
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 4, 2021
Whether that was his intention or not, Southgate would have seen it with a satisfied grin on his face.
Jurgen Klopp’s skepticism of the England manager’s decision would have been theatrical, at least in part. The German had to defend his player publicly, but privately he knew that Alexander-Arnold needed to rest after a year of incessant football.
If a side effect of this is that the player gets a little between the teeth and sits down to prove his international coach wrong, then it’s just a happy coincidence.
? | Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Arsenal:
94 grips3 interceptions2 / 2 tackles won (100%) 14 long balls3 / 6 ground duels won100% flying duels won4 key pass 1 big chance created1 assist1 clean sheet
Complete RB performance. England and Liverpool star boy. pic.twitter.com/n5uFeNumJZ
– The Anfield Buzz (@TheAnfieldBuzz) April 3, 2021
His obvious return to form also comes at the perfect time for Liverpool. The Arsenal game was an important step in the right direction, but there are bigger fish to fry in the next two weeks. a quarter-final in the Champions League with Real Madrid stands between them and a realistic chance for silver.
It’s an impressive perspective, but it looks a little less impressive with a fit and shoots Alexander-Arnold in the team.
Only Southgate knows what he expected when he selected his squad. It may have been a straightforward, form-based decision, or it may have been a tricky man-handling designed to light a fire under one of his key players ahead of this summer’s European Championships. Most likely there was something in between.
IOTA. Salah. Alexander-Arnold.
An impressive display from the Liverpool trio! ? pic.twitter.com/b8BQYwU7v0
– 90min (@ 90min_Football) April 3, 2021
Anyway, it has given the Liverpool man a long-awaited rest and the alarm clock he needed to get back to his best.
