Jurgen Klopp appeared to be pleased with the work done by Trent Alexander-Arnold last night.
Trent captained Liverpool as he made his first start since September 3rd. In what was almost certainly a planned substitution, the 24-year-old was taken off just past the hour mark.
And according to The Athletic, there was a special greeting waiting for Alexander-Arnold on the touchline.
Having seen his vice-captain put in a very good display both with the ball and in his defensive work, Klopp was spotted giving Trent one of his famous bear hugs as he exited the pitch.
Although he wasn’t decisive last night, and Joe Gomez has been superb in his absence, it’s great to have the Scouser back.
Trent returns for Liverpool
Set to turn 25 tomorrow, Alexander-Arnold is now one of the more senior members of this Liverpool squad.
And last night was another milestone for the academy graduate – the first time he’d led the Reds out in European comeptition.
It was actually a Europa League debut for Trent, who has no doubt become used to the luxuries of the Champions League. But if he didn’t want to be there, then that didn’t show at all.
Sharp as ever on the ball, Alexander-Arnold nearly played Mohamed Salah in a number of times in the opening exchanges of the match.
Defensively he was very good too, one notable intervention while the last man back stopped a very dangerous looking counter-attack early in the second half.
With his withdrawal surely agreed upon before hand, it’ll be interesting to see whether Trent is back on the team sheet on Sunday.
He has struggled in the recent past when up against Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma. As a result, perhaps it wouldn’t be surprise to see Gomez back in at the Amex. Nevertheless, if it’s from the start or from the bench, it’s great to have Alexander-Arnold to call upon again. Jurgen clearly thinks so too.
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