Arne Slot was unruffled by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s unhappy reaction to being substituted in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brentford.
Slot, who otherwise enjoyed a dream competitive first game in charge, spoke to a clearly disappointed Alexander-Arnold on the bench after the England defender made way for Conor Bradley in the 72nd minute.
It came moments after Mohamed Salah had doubled Liverpool’s lead, following Luis Diaz’s opener, but Slot denied suggestions of a rift with Alexander-Arnold, who played for England at Euro 2024.
“He didn’t look that happy being taken off, I understand,” Slot said. “Every player wants to play 90 minutes but I don’t think the players that were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choice I made.
“But Trent came back from the national team where in the beginning of the tournament he played quite a lot then he didn’t, had a few weeks off, came back – this was only his third game.
“We have to take care of him because we need him for the whole season and not only for the first two games. The good thing for me is I have a very good back-up with Conor. That means we are taking care of Trent but he played a good game.”
Diaz finished off a lightning breakaway inside the first quarter of an hour before Salah scored for the second week running in the 70th minute, having also bagged in their season-opening win at Ipswich.
While a brace of wins and clean sheets left Slot satisfied, the Dutchman knows tougher tests lie ahead, starting at Manchester United next weekend.
“Two good wins against difficult opponents,” Slot said. “But there’s still a lot for us to prove with the whole season coming up.
“Both Ipswich and Brentford deserve respect for the way they’ve played against us but I’m not expecting the two to be in the top six at the end of the season.”
Slot was given a warm welcome at Anfield and serenaded in the closing stages, with Liverpool owner John W. Henry jetting in from the United States for the occasion.
There were no Jurgen Klopp fist pumps to the Kop at full-time from Slot, who waved and clapped towards that end after walking onto the pitch at full-time following a job well done.
“The reception of the fans was similar to the reception I got from the people in and around the area and the people that are working for Liverpool,” Slot said.
“I cannot speak for all the managers but maybe all of them would tell you the same – every manager that comes in here feels the warmth of this club and the appreciation of the fans.
“The most important (thing) we have to do as managers is make sure the team plays in a style the fans like to see and that’s what we’re trying and the boys showed that.”
For the second week running, Brentford boss Thomas Frank left out England striker Ivan Toney, whose absence only intensifies links of a switch to Saudi Arabia in the coming days.
Asked if Toney is any closer to a move away from the Bees, with the transfer window set to shut on Friday at 11pm, Frank replied: “I don’t know. He trained the whole week, trained well, a good attitude.
“I’m always happy when the window is shut. Then we don’t have to talk about ifs and buts and when and maybe about a lot of players, and of course, Ivan, it’s all about Ivan.”
Without Toney, Brentford lacked a cutting edge with captain Christian Norgaard failing to hit the target from an unmarked header in front of goal while Nathan Collins was denied by Alisson Becker.
“I thought we went toe-to-toe with Liverpool, especially in the first half, it was very even, which I’m very satisfied with,” Frank added.
“It was probably our best first half here at Anfield in the four years I’ve been here. Liverpool won fair and square but there are definitely things I’m positive about, especially the first 60 minutes.”
