Trent’s “super” Newcastle comeback prompted Klopp, the substitute, to admit it.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 24, is preparing to lead the team at Anfield this weekend, and Jurgen Klopp has hailed him for his “super” response to Virgil van Dijk’s dismissal against Newcastle.
At St. James’ Park, Liverpool was reduced to 10 men in less than 30 minutes after Van Dijk’s challenge on Alexander Isak was assessed to have prevented a goal-scoring opportunity.
Van Dijk’s replacement after being fired was Alexander-Arnold, who had been named the team’s vice-captain over the summer.
The 24-year-old experienced a tumultuous beginning to the game himself as he avoided receiving a second caution for a challenge on Anthony Gordon after five minutes.
Klopp acknowledged that he thought about taking his right-back out of the scenario during the first half, but the player handled the difficulty well.
“I imagine a lot of people would have wondered—and I did for a brief moment—if we should change him. Do we already need to update that? And I’m glad I didn’t do it, the boss admitted.
We can all agree that, other from the Liverpool supporters, everyone else in the stadium wanted him to be the next person to be killed, and I’m very sure that would have happened if Trent had given anyone the chance to do so.
Due to Van Dijk’s absence due to suspension, Alexander-Arnold will lead the team at Anfield for the first time this weekend when Aston Villa comes to town.
Klopp called Alexander-Arnold’s performance at Newcastle a “big step in his development” and said he anticipates it will be a “honor” for him to captain the team on Sunday.
He continued, “That was a major step in his development, to retain his cool and even to go up in the game, because he was really in it.
“I find it difficult to think about myself in that [captaincy] circumstance. Although it was more labor than honor when I was captain, it would undoubtedly be a huge honor for him. Thank God he had a chance to practice last week.
