Roy Keane’s withering take on Alexander-Arnold performance amid Madrid speculation

"Trent to Tranmere Roy? Nah, we’re alright thanks."

One of the subplots heading into Sunday's thrilling 2-2 draw between Liverpool and Man United was the situation regarding Alexander-Arnold.

The England defender has recently been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, and Liverpool rejected a transfer bid from the Spanish club last week.

It look as though the scrutiny affected Alexander-Arnold in Sunday's game, as the 26-year-old produced his worst performance of the season.

Most onlookers, including Roy Keane, were mightily unimpressed with the player's defending throughout the game. The right-back at fault for Lisandro Martinez's goal, after a sloppy pass and lazy marking. He also didn't cover himself in glory for Amad Diallo's late equaliser.

In the Sky Sports studio after the match, Keane slammed the England international with a typically withering takedown:

"It’s too easy.

"Them [sic] chances for United [come from] a couple of balls over the top. We talk about how brilliant Trent is going forward, but Trent’s defending today; my goodness it’s like schoolboy stuff.

"There’s talk about him going to Real Madrid, the way he’s defending he’s going to Tranmere Rovers after this. He’s got to do better."

Tranmere, who currently sit 20th in League Two, responded to the jab on 'X', posting:

"Trent to Tranmere Roy? Nah, we’re alright thanks."

Naturally, Alexander-Arnold's poor showing would be linked with the speculation over his future, but Liverpool boss Arne Slot dismissed these suggestions.

He said: "I don’t believe in those things but I think it’s nine out of 10 people will tell you it affected him. But I am one of the 10 that tells you that I don’t think that affected him.

"What affected him is that he had to play Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot which are two starters for Portugal. Great, great, great players. We have a fantastic player here in Diogo Jota, and he’s not even playing for Portugal - mostly he’s not playing - so that tells you how much quality United has.

"And if these players set themselves to a game, and that is what United do once in a while, then it’s very difficult to play against them."