Liverpool: Arne Slot admits fan booing could force Trent Alexander-Arnold 'decision' in final two matches | OneFootball

Liverpool boss keen to avoid “distraction” as Liverpool celebrate winning Premier League title

Big decision: Arne Slot could opt to keep Trent Alexander-Arnold off the pitch for the final two matches

REUTERS

Arne Slot suggested he could leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of Liverpool’s final two matches of the season if his involvement becomes a distraction.

Alexander-Arnold was named on the bench for the draw with Arsenal on Sunday, but was brought on midway through the second-half to replace Conor Bradley.

This was the first match since the right-back announced he would be leaving Liverpool as a free agent in the summer, and he was booed by some sections of the Anfield crowd as he came on.

Andy Robertson admitted after the game that it was “not nice” to hear his team-mate booed, while Jamie Carragher said it was a “step too far” for Alexander-Arnold to get that reaction from the home fans.

Liverpool have two matches remaining before the end of the campaign, as they travel to Brighton before hosting Crystal Palace on the final day, when they will lift the Premier League trophy.

Slot was asked whether the situation around Alexander-Arnold could put a dampener on the celebrations and whether he could opt to avoid using the Englishman again this season.

“I don't think there's any possibility whatever can happen that can take the edge of us winning this 20th league title,” Slot said.

“The thing I consider is I want to win a game of football and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his team-mates and to the fans, because they (Liverpool) hired me to win as many games of football as possible.

“And if I think there's a better chance of winning with Trent, then I will (pick him).

“If I think it's a distraction or whatever can happen for us not to play a good game of football, then I might, might, might make another decision.

“But I think Trent showed today why I brought him in because he was very close with a few fantastic crosses for us to win the game."