Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer and Micah Richards have praised Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passionate celebration after he netted a late winner for Liverpool against Leicester City.
The right-back was thrown into the fray by Arne Slot in the 71st minute, replacing Conor Bradley in a straight swap, and it only took five minutes for the 26-year-old to leave his stamp on the game. With the score tied at 0-0 Kostas Tsimikas delivered a corner from the right which saw Mohamed Salah’s header crash against the post, followed by Diogo Jota rattling the crossbar.
Alexander-Arnold was quick to react, smashing the ball home with his left foot, sending it flying past Mads Hermansen and sparking wild celebrations among the away supporters at the King Power Stadium. Despite picking up a yellow card for his shirtless jubilation, the Match of the Day pundits were full of praise for Alexander-Arnold’s display of emotion after scoring such a crucial goal in Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.
On The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said: “For Trent, I thought it was good of him to go towards the fans, and I like the fact that they celebrated with him,” before Richards added: “Yeah, well I obviously was at the game, and you could see the raw emotion. Liverpool fans didn’t stop singing all game.
“And it’s been very difficult for him when you’re constantly asked about your contract, and what happens then is people start identifying the weaknesses in your game – ‘Oh, we could do without Trent’ all of this. But actually, when you look at it, what he’s done for Liverpool – even coming through the youth and then coming into the team…
“When you look at fullbacks and the way he’s developed the game, he’s been truly sensational. His technical ability is just off the scale, his passing range is ridiculous, the way he shaped up for his goal on his left foot, the technique to do that was just remarkable,” reports the Liverpool Echo.
He added: “And it was just a big moment for him. I think he needed it, and I agree with you Gaz as well, I think the fans needed it as well. And it was just a great moment to be there having seen him score that goal and celebrate in that way, you know?”
Shearer, meanwhile, agreed with everything that both his colleagues had said, adding: “I would echo all of that. It was great for him, and did you know that was his first-ever goal on his left foot? It’s amazing isn’t it?” He continued: “So yeah, I mean I was delighted for him that he could score at that end.
“The importance of it, the winning goal, coming on as a sub and him just going mad. It was great to see, without doubt he deserves that. Obviously it sounds as if he’s going to go, but amazing for him.”
Despite edging his team closer to their second Premier League title since the league’s inception in 1992, Alexander-Arnold’s future at Liverpool beyond the 2024/25 season remains uncertain. With his contract due to expire this summer, and no new deal signed with the Reds, there has been significant speculation linking the Englishman, who has spent his entire career at his boyhood club, with a move to Real Madrid.
Liverpool could have secured the title on Sunday if Arsenal had slipped up against Ipswich Town. However, a resounding 4-0 victory for the Gunners means the Reds’ celebrations will have to be postponed.
Their next chance to clinch the title will come on Wednesday night when Arsenal, managed by Mikel Arteta, take on Crystal Palace. If Crystal Palace manage to defeat Arsenal, then the title will go to Slot’s men without them even having to play. If not, the celebrations will be delayed until at least next weekend when Liverpool face Tottenham.
It’s a starkly different situation for Leicester, who find themselves relegated back to the Championship after a disappointing season that has seen them secure just four victories.
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