'I wasn't happy with his training' - Slot on Alexander-Arnoldpublished at 11:58 23 May
Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist
'I wasn't completely happy with his training' - Slot on Alexander-Arnold
Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealed in Friday's news conference that he had a conversation with Trent Alexander-Arnold in pre-season about his work ethic in training.
Slot, who arrived at Anfield last summer, has been guarded in recent months when talking about the right-back. However, but ahead of the final game of the season and Alexander-Arnold's anticipated but unconfirmed switch to Spain, Slot joked: "He is going to leave either way, so why not tell you!"
"Maybe it is already the first gift I can give [prospective Real Madrid boss] Xabi Alonso," Slot laughed. "I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground. In certain moments, he could do a bit more – to say it mildly. That's what we talked about.
"I said to him you're a much better defender than everyone tells you but unfortunately you don't show it all the time. This is why some people say this is part of the game you need to improve.
"If you are focused and concentrated, there are not many players that can go around him because he is fast, agile and has a great mentality. But it is about showing that every single game."
He did, however, go on to say Alexander-Arnold "deserves" to be at Anfield for the title celebrations on Sunday despite the criticism he has received from some sections of the fanbase after announcing his departure.
"For a fan, these players are all professionals, but for me as a manger they are not only a player but a human being," Slot said. "This should be the day everyone is going to enjoy. Liverpool fans have been waiting for this moment.
"He [Alexander-Arnold] definitely deserves to be there as well because he has been part of the incredibly successful years at the club."