Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed one of the rules that Arne Slot has implemented since taking over at the club.
Slot was announced as Liverpool manager following the departure of Jurgen Klopp. The Dutchman who joined from Feyenoord has enjoyed a strong start at Liverpool after leading his side to victory in their opening two games of the Premier League season.
Liverpool were victorious away at Ipswich Town and at home to Brentford. However, the Reds face a difficult match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Ahead of the game, Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract next summer, opened up on adjusting to the changes Slot has implemented at Liverpool since replacing Klopp.
“I think we’re full of confidence,” he said. “Obviously big changes happened for us in the summer and then a few of us were late back in.
“But we’re getting to grips with the new style, the new way the manager wants us to play and transitioning into a new Liverpool really.
“I think it’s going well so far. There’s a lot we can still improve on, and I’m sure the manager thinks the same and us players equally so.
“For us, it’s about carrying momentum. We have self-belief, we’re confident in ourselves and the way that we play. Two really good games and two wins, so we need to keep that going.”
Alexander-Arnold also revealed that Slot has demanded all his players pull their weight defensively if they want to play for the Dutchman.
“That’s one of the rules that the manager brought in,” he told the club website when asked about the Reds’ hunger to defend and their forwards tracking back. “If you don’t comply to those rules, you won’t play – it’s as simple as that.
“It’s not just about defenders defending [and] the attackers just watch us defend. It’s a whole team thing.
“I think the counter-attacks that we’ve potentially been exposed to, we’re able to slow them down and get numbers behind, we’re blocking shots and we’re stopping them from creating anything dangerous. That’s down to the work ethic and it’s what’s demanded.
“I think if you look at the teams that have been successful in the previous years – including ourselves – it’s been of course we’re a team that can play football and be really exciting at times, but it’s the other end of the pitch that ultimately does win you the league.
“Normally the team that concedes the least amount of goals or the least amount of big chances will have a really good chance of winning the league.”
