Real Madrid ‘insulted’ Liverpool over Alexander-Arnold, says Neville – as Slot backs defender

Real Madrid “think they can get what they want” and have “humiliated” Liverpool over Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gary Neville said.

Spanish and European champions Real Madrid have been widely reported to have made a move for Alexander-Arnold, who joined the Reds’ academy in 2004 but is out of contract at the end of the season.

“The offer is bad timing for him,” former Manchester United captain Neville told Sky Sports after Alexander-Arnold’s defensive display came under scrutiny during his team’s match. 2-2 draw at home with the Red Devils In the Premier League on Sunday.

“If you have that, playing a big game as a local player, it’s not easy, with all the hype. Real Madrid is a hell of an animal.

“I thought it was insulting to Real Madrid to act like that. They act like that sometimes and they think they can get what they want.

“The offer from Real Madrid is bad timing for him… It is humiliating.”@GNev2 and @kara23 Don’t hold back on their thoughts on Real Madrid’s bid for Trent Alexander-Arnold 😨 pic.twitter.com/A6Whz05JQG

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025

Slot: Alexander-Arnold ‘didn’t have the best game’

United who arrived 13 places and 23 points behind the league leadersTheir team focused most of their attacks on the flank of right-back Alexander-Arnold, scoring both of their goals from that side.

The 26-year-old England international was replaced by Connor Bradley four minutes after Amad Diallo equalized for United’s second goal.

Liverpool coach Arne Slott said: “Trent played mostly good matches for this club, but there were matches where he was not at his best.”

“Today wasn’t his best game, but maybe that’s about it [United] also. It’s also about Bruno Fernandes, who is a very good player and played well.

“Daniel told me what the problem was…that was just a waffle” 😨

Daniel Sturridge and @kara23 Feeling hot for Trent Alexander-Arnold 😯 pic.twitter.com/HMBZ4uEyb9

— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) January 5, 2025

“[Diogo] Dalot was a threat on the left. It is not always easy to prevent them from getting into dangerous situations.

“Especially in the first half, sometimes Ryan [Gravenberch] It wasn’t close enough to [Alexander-Arnold]So sometimes it was a 2-on-1 situation. I would put it more down to the quality of Dalot and Bruno Fernandes than Trent.

Madrid “takes the mickey”

Neville, the former Three Lions right-back, said the speculation “wasn’t helpful” for Alexander-Arnold. “Liverpool is a club of enormous stature and they will never sell [him] He added: “For 20 million pounds sterling in January.”

“You’re taking the mickey a little bit. I imagine that will get on his nerves. You can imagine his family and his agent saying: ‘What’s going on, Trent?’

Alexander-Arnold has started 22 of Liverpool’s 24 Premier League and Champions League matches in the 2024/25 season.