Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher slam Trent Alexander-Arnold's defending against Man Utd

In January 2025, a high-stakes match between Liverpool and Manchester United took place at Anfield, where the two teams battled for crucial points in the Premier League. The game ended in a 2-2 draw, allowing Liverpool to maintain a lead over Arsenal in the league standings. Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool defender, faced strong criticism for his performance during this match, particularly for his defending, which was deemed subpar by pundits, including Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher. Reports had circulated earlier in the week about a potential transfer for Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid, which added to the pressure on the young player. Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, acknowledged that while many observers might think the transfer speculation affected Alexander-Arnold's performance, he believed the challenge of facing experienced players like Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot was a more significant factor. Despite Alexander-Arnold’s struggles, Liverpool managed to take the lead in the contest, first through a goal from Cody Gakpo and a penalty from Mohamed Salah, but they were ultimately held to a draw as Manchester United found an equalizer late in the match through Amad Diallo. The draw was seen as two points dropped for Liverpool, affecting their momentum in the title race. Manager Ruben Amorim stated the importance of mentality in the game, emphasizing the need for consistent performance from his players. The match highlighted the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Alexander-Arnold, as well as the broader implications of transfer rumors affecting players’ performances in high-pressure situations.