TRENT Alexander-Arnold tonight admitted it had been satisfying to help under-pressure Liverpool to silence their critics with a comfortable 2-0 win over Rangers in a one-sided Champions League game at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s side ran out comfortable 2-0 victors in the Group A match against Giovanni van Bronckhorst’ team thanks to a first-half Alexander-Arnold free-kick and a second-half Mo Salah penalty.
The home team dominated from kick-off to the final whistle and goalkeeper Allan McGregor pulled off a string of saves – he denied Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Mo Salah – to keep the final scoreline respectable.
The Ibrox club remain rooted to the bottom of their section without any points after three matches against Ajax, Napoli and Liverpool.
Jordan Henderson and his team mates, who reached the final of this competition last term before being beaten 1-0 by Real Madrid in Paris, have not been at their brilliant best either at home or abroad in the 2022/23 season.
They went into the encounter with their Glasgow rivals on the back of a disappointing domestic result – they were held to a 3-3 draw at home by Brighton in the Premier League at the weekend to fall 11 points behind leaders Arsenal in the table.
But Alexander-Arnold, who has personally failed to perform at the high level he has in previous years in recent weeks, felt that the English giants acquitted themselves well against their Scottish opponents and can go forward with confidence.
“The performance was great from the lads,” he said. “Last Saturday was disappointing. We never really got going and were sloppy out the blocks.
“It was the complete opposite today. We started well and continued throughout the game. They had their spells second half, but overall we played outstanding.”
Alexander-Arnold added: “No matter what, I always try and think positively. People say things, but for me it’s about going out there and performing for the team.
“The only thing that matters is helping the team win games. Yeah, it’s been a slow start to the season for me, but I’m looking forward to the rest of it.”
The 17-times capped 23-year-old revealed that a change of formation had been responsible for the vastly improved showing by the six-time European champions.
“We went back to more of a basic 4-4-2 and played it really well,” he said. “We shifted it across the pitch really well and stayed compact. They couldn’t play through us.
“They were playing a lot of long balls and stuff like that and we were picking up second balls. The change of tactic definitely helped us today so we’ll see what happens going forward.”
Asked about his stunning free-kick, the England right back said: “I don’t normally score them from that side. It’s usually the other side of the pitch.
“For me, it was just about getting it on target. That’s all I focus on when I practice now. There’s always a chance of it going in or getting a rebound.”
The 2-0 win sent Klopp’s side three points clear of Ajax, who were thrashed 6-1 in Amsterdam by section leaders Napoli, in Group A and increased their chances of reaching the knockout rounds once again.
Alexander-Arnold is looking forward to the remaining games against Rangers at Ibrox next week and then Napoli at home and Ajax away after the impressive Liverpool display.
“This period is going to be very intense but we’re used to playing three games a week so there are no excuses,” he said. “When it’s coming thick and fast, it’s exciting.”