Trent spotted making his feelings very clear as Klopp explains why he's dropped

21 January 2023 , 13:05

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Trent Alexander-Arnold did not look impressed with Liverpool conceding (Image: BT Sport)

Trent Alexander-Arnold was visibly disappointed when Kai Havertz scored for Chelsea against Liverpool - only for the goal to then be chalked off following a VAR check.

The Blues striker appeared to have opened the scoring in just the third minute at Anfield after firing in a rebounded shot from Thiago Silva. BT Sport cameras immediately picked out Klopp in the Liverpool dugout, but it was Alexander-Arnold behind him who reacted.

The England international right-back could be seen closing his eyes and shaking his head in frustration - although his disappointment was short-lived after a VAR review found that the German was in an offside position when Silva shot.

Alexander-Arnold was expected to start the fixture against Chelsea this Saturday but both he and Darwin Nunez were named on the bench, with Klopp explaining the duo are carrying injuries.

Nunez missed both the Brighton and Wolves games with a hamstring problem while Alexander-Arnold has been out of action with a small muscle injury and only returning to training on Friday.

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Klopp said BT Sport ahead of the early kick-off at Anfield: "Trent came back to train yesterday, Darwin had one, two-and-a-half days in training but midfield is always midfield.

Kai Havertz thought he had put Chelsea ahead against Liverpool (Jon Super/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

"If you're too open in general in midfield nobody can close the gaps. Usually, we were not compact enough and that starts with the front three, if the front three are not together it makes life incredibly difficult.

"In this game, we were really compact, both wingers were there, Cody [Gakpo] dropped deep in kind of a 'Bobby Firmino manner'.

"All of a sudden, Naby Keita, Thiago - who are not famous for being sprinters - had challenges in areas they are good at, defensively and offensively, connected, we can win balls, they are outstanding in small spaces we played much better than in the last few matches.

"In the last few matches, if we win balls and give it away in the next moment we cannot be compact, we cannot push up in that moment then the spaces are really big. Football is not complicated but to bring 11 players to do the same thing is now not the easiest thing in the world, especially when you're not full of confidence.

"That's why the match against Wolves was super important because it is the blueprint. Everybody who plays now, knows finally if you don't defend you cannot play.

"I liked everything, no it was not a big call, he deserves that. He would've played before but he was injured for two games,' the German added on handing Stefan Bajcetic his first Premier League start."

Jake Polden