Arne Slot speaks out on Trent Alexander-Arnold's angry reaction to early Liverpool substitution against Brentford after tense dugout chat

Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Conor Bradley with under 20 minutes left to play after the Reds had taken a 2-0 lead in Slot's first competitive home game since replacing Jurgen Klopp as coach. The Dutchman was then seen sitting beside the England international in the dugout, seemingly explaining why he took him off, though Alexander-Arnold did not look happy.

The 25-year-old has recently been linked with a move away from Anfield, with Real Madrid said to be interested in signing him on a free transfer when his contract expires at the end of the season. Slot, though, insists that the right-back is a key figure as he explained he took him off to protect the academy graduate.

"I understand. Every player wants to play 90 minutes but I don’t think the players that were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choice I made," Slot said at a press conference. "Trent came back from the national team, where in the beginning of the tournament he played quite a lot and then he didn’t. He had a few weeks off, came back and it is only his third game and we have to take care of him. We need him for the whole season and not only for the first two games. The good thing for me is that I have a very good backup as well with Conor, that means we are taking care of Trent, but he played a good game."

Slot opted to play Alexander-Arnold at right-back, instead of using him in midfield where he has played on occasion for club and county. The ex-Feyenoord boss feels that he is more dangerous at full-back, explaining on Sky Sports: "I think Trent has many qualities, and one of them is the crosses from the side. If we only play him in the midfield he can only pass the ball, which he can of course do quite well. But I also want him in dangerous crossing positions.

"We try to influence players as much as we can before the game to say where could open gaps for you to come in. Nine times out of 10 the teams do something different than against other teams. He has the freedom to go anywhere. Trent is a difficult one to play against."

Alexander-Arnold will likely keep his place in the Liverpool starting XI when they pay a visit to Manchester United at Old Trafford next week.