TA-A VERY MUCH
Kop kid’s first Prem goal.. but Klopp gives him earbashing
YOUNG Trent Alexander-Arnold enjoyed his “dream” Anfield moment – then manager Jurgen Klopp nearly turned it into a nightmare afterwards.
The teenage Liverpool star scored his first Premier League goal – and his first at the Kop end – in front of his extended family, who flew in from the US especially for the game. “It’s a dream come true to score at Anfield, especially at the Kop,” he said. But Klopp revealed that, despite hugging the defender at the end, he was taking him to task for earlier
failing in his defensive duties. The German coach said: “I told him that, as a defender, you cannot stay on the ground.
“I think Ayew touched Trent’s face, but, as long as the nose is not broken or it is more or less where you think it should be, then you have to run again... especially as a defender.
“But he is young enough to learn a lot of things, even if he is quite good in a few of them.”
Klopp explained that he was always going to give AlexanderArnold a crack at his moment of glory, with so many of his family members turning up for the Boxing Day treat at Anfield.
“It’s fantastic. His mother told me last week that on Boxing Day the whole part of the family from America would be there. I asked, ‘Is that an order for him to be in the lineup?’,” Klopp said with a smile.
“First half, like the whole team, he could have done better, but he was fantastic and scored a good goal. Good news for the Alexander-Arnold family.”
Liverpool strolled to victory as caretaker boss Leon Britton (above) saw his Swansea side collapse in a dismal second-half showing.