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Slot cool with Trent boos after Arsenal find response

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold stands dejected during the Premier League match at Anfield. Pic: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Premier League: Liverpool 2 Arsenal 2

Arne Slot refused to condemn the Liverpool fans who booed Trent Alexander-Arnold, claiming that the barracking given to one of the club's most-decorated players was "fine" with him.

A significant number of supporters booed the England defender before, during and after the champions' 2-2 draw with 10-man Arsenal.

It was the first time the local lad had been on the Anfield pitch since announcing he was departing in the summer on a free, with Real Madrid expected to be his next destination.

Many fans applauded him, especially after the final whistle, but the extent of the vitriol from those who branded him a traitor took even former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher aback. "I was surprised how many," he said.

"Everyone has the right to their own opinion, but it would not be fair to the whole of Liverpool to focus on the few that booed," was Slot's take on it. "If they want to, it's fine by me. But there were a lot of people who were really positive as well.

"In general and life, the good thing about living in Europe, everyone can have their opinion. That's the same here in Liverpool.

"There were people who were not so happy, there were people who were happy for him. They clapped for him. A few of them booed. Towards the end, a few of them got more and more positive."

Slot insisted however that he reserved the right to pick TAA in the final two fixtures, a move sure to upset the diehards further.

“If I think there’s a better chance of winning with Trent, then I will," he said. "I will always back my players, the ones I lead, the ones in the red shirt. I will always back them, no matter what.”

Two goals in 87 first-half seconds from Cody Gakpo and Luiz Diaz put the champions ahead but Arsenal were a different animal after the break and drew level through headers from Gabriel Martinelli and Mikel Merino - who was sent off soon after.

The result mattered little to either side but will certainly not be forgotten by Alexander-Arnold, whose name was booed on being announced as a substitute.

The defender was barracked when he came on midway through the second half and whenever he touched the ball. He was also the man flagged up by VAR as playing Merino onside for the equaliser.

The entertainment started early, with Bukayo Saka firing across goal and wide after Liverpool made a mess of a free-kick conceded by Conor Bradley, Trent's replacement, whose name was sung by fans who also serenaded Steven Gerrard - the Scouser who changed his mind about leaving Anfield for a rival big club at the peak of his playing powers.

Diaz, set up by Mo Salah, fired an equally clear chance at Gunners keeper David Raya but two goals in quick succession put the Slot Machine in control First Gakpo headed home at the near post after Arsenal switched off from a quick throw that put Andy Robertson into a crossing position.

Then Dominik Szoboszlai powered into the inside right position and played a diagonal ball across the box to take out Raya and allow Diaz to slide in and poke home.

It was a different story after the break however, with the Gunners requiring just two second half minutes to half the deficit. Leandro Trossard, who had already created a chance, crossed for Martinelli to nod gently into the far corner.

The Kop was nervous, especially when another free-kick saw Martinelli fire at Alisson. Bradley had been booked for giving that away and was hooked for Alexander-Arnold, with the boos clearly louder than the cheers this time.

Arsenal were still on top however and levelled in the 70th minute through Merino. Alisson pulled off a fine save to tip Martin Odegaard's shot on to a post but Liverpool defenders were motionless as Merno stooped to head home the rebound.

There was a VAR check for offside - that showed Alexander-Arnold had played the Spaniard on.

Merino was sent off in the 79th minute for a second yellow, although his over-the-top challenge on Szoboszlai after losing possession might have been a straight red on another day.

Liverpool had goal disallowed in stoppage time when Robertson pounced on Raya's parry of Virgil van Dijk's header as Ibrahima Konate had pushed Myles Lewis-Skelly in the face.

Arsenal have still not clinched Champions League qualification and manager Mikel Arteta was not impressed.

"What we did in the first half is nowhere near the level so to do it after that is not acceptable," he said. "We reacted, great, but it is unacceptable. It's about action, not reaction."

LIVERPOOL (4-2-3-1): Alisson 7; Bradley 5 (Alexander-Arnold 67, 7), Konate 6, van Dijk 7, Robertson 7; Gravenberch 7 (Elliott 83, 3), Jones 6 (Nunez 67, 4); Salah 7, Szoboszlai 6, Gakpo 7 (Mac Allister 66, 5); Diaz 7 (Jota 79, 3).

Subs (not used): Kelleher, Endo, Tsimikas, Quansah

ARSENAL (4-3-3): Raya 7; White 7 (Calafiori 78, 4), Saliba 7, Kiwior 7, Lewis-Skelly 7; Odegaard 7, Partey 6, Merino 6; Saka 7, Trossard 7 (Tierney 78, 3), Martinelli 7.

Subs (not used): Neto, Tierney, Timber, Zinchenko, Sterling, Butler-Oyedeji, Henry-Franics, Nwaneri.

Referee: Anthony Taylor 6