Villa humbling helps Reds find stride again
LIVERPOOL defender Trent Alexander- Arnold believes the “humbling” defeat at Aston Villa a month ago has allowed the Premier League champions to get back to the level which allows them to “kick down doors” again.
Since the shock 7- 2 reverse at Villa Park on October 4 – the club’s heaviest defeat in 57 years – they have won four and drawn one, establishing themselves at the top of the standings again – all without defensive linchpin Virgil Van Dijk.
That run also includes backtoback Champions League victories, which has already put them two points ahead in Group D ahead of tonight’s trip to face Atalanta where a win would put them within touching distance of the knockout stage.
And Alexander- Arnold believes the Villa defeat has had a positive effect.
“There was a meeting when we came back but we always have a meeting anyway. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary,” the full- back said.
“But I think it was more about self- reflection in that period, and knowing that can’t happen.
“It was kind of a one- off. To concede seven goals is unacceptable but it is about learning from these things.
“It kind of humbled us as a team.
“It let us know that we can’t just win games because we are Liverpool with the history of the club and the players we’ve got, it is about mentality and the work we put in.
“If we are not at 100 per cent, these things can happen.
“It wasn’t an outrageously bad performance from us but our
mentality wasn’t there on the day and we got punished for it. Since then we have been really able to focus on that and, looking back on the last two years especially, it is our mentality that has got us to where we are now.
“That has enabled us to come back from any position, to break through walls and kick down doors in that respect.
“Since that game we have been able to get back into that stride again.”