Xabi Alonso makes Trent declare after Liverpool loss leaves him with ‘bitter style’
Xabi Alonso has insisted Trent Alexander-Arnold was ready for the hostile reception he received on his first return to Anfield with Real Madrid after leaving Liverpool in the summer
Xabi Alonso has maintained that Trent Alexander-Arnold was prepared for the hostile welcome he faced on his first return to Anfield with Real Madrid following his summer departure from Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold was met with boos from the home supporters during the warm-up and when he entered the pitch for the closing nine minutes of the Reds’ 1-0 Champions League victory on Tuesday night.
The England defender, whose mural close to the ground was vandalised earlier that day, then endured jeers with every touch from a vociferous home crowd before receiving similar treatment when departing after the final whistle.
When questioned about his decision to introduce Alexander-Arnold, Alonso explained: “It was an intense game, and we know the atmosphere in Anfield on a Champions League night in a European ‘Clasico’. We needed his quality and we needed his threat from the wing.
“[His reception] could be expected. He is professional and mature. He was ready for that, no problem.”
Alexis Mac Allister netted the decisive goal just after the hour mark, nodding home a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick following Jude Bellingham’s booking for fouling Ryan Gravenberch, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Alonso reflected: “At half-time we said we needed to be in the game to have an opportunity but then we conceded a lot of fouls and Thibaut Courtois wasn’t able to save that header from the set-piece. Thibaut, though, was fantastic.
“But we have to understand we can’t commit so many fouls as the game could get away from us like it did today.”
When quizzed about whether Real had appeared to lack intensity and energy against a lively Liverpool side, Alonso responded: “I don’t have those feelings. We competed well, Szoboszlai had an opportunity in the first half and Thibaut made a great save but we played at a high rhythm.
“What we were lacking today was perhaps to hurt them in the final third and be a real threat. In the second half it was just about the small details that fell in their favour.”
Alonso continued: “It was a bit difficult for us today. I’m not going to complain about my team, we gave it a good go.
“It was difficult for us. In our one-on-ones we weren’t able to cause problems. We leave with a bitter taste in the mouth but we have to analyse what we did today. We have to learn from these defeats.”
