Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold: Man Utd ‘need to get a result’ against Man City for their own aspirations

Looking on | Liverpool will be watching the Manchester derby with interest on Wednesday night
Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
David Lynch23 April 2019

Trent Alexander-Arnold has dismissed suggestions that he might try and call in favours from the likes of Jesse Lingard ahead of this week’s Manchester derby.

Man City will surrender control of the Premier League title race to Liverpool if they come away from Old Trafford with anything less than three points on Wednesday, while United cannot afford to lose with their top-four hopes hanging by a thread.

Neither outcome is particularly palatable for Mancunians of a red persuasion but, according to Alexander-Arnold, Champions League qualification will be the priority for the hosts regardless.

Asked whether he might call on some of his England colleagues for help ahead of the game, he said: “Nah, I don’t think so! Without even saying it they know they’ll be doing us a massive favour if they get anything.

“With what they’re going for and going for the top four, they probably need to get a result. I’m sure it will be a good one.

In Pictures | Premier League Table 2018-19

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“It’s a funny one. At this stage of the season you sometimes need to support someone you wouldn’t normally like.

“For our ambitions and goals we do need a team to do us a favour somewhere along the line.

“On Saturday we all supported Tottenham and on Wednesday the majority of Liverpool fans I think will want United to get a win.

“I probably will watch it. I don’t know if there are any other games on. It’s exciting but you try not to get too caught up in hoping that City lose.”

Alexander-Arnold has started 11 consecutive games to help put Liverpool in position for a glorious end to the campaign in both the Premier League and Champions League.

But the young Scouser accepts that Jurgen Klopp may need to shuffle his pack across the remaining games, particularly with fellow defender Joe Gomez fit again.

He added: “Hopefully we’ve got six games left. It doesn’t sound too much but when you’re putting everything into it you need players to come in and out.

“It’s good to be able to bring different players in. Now the weather plays a bit more of a part and you have to put a bit more effort in.

“It’s exciting. Every game you want to play and it’s good when the manager has that faith and trust in you to play.

“We have to recover as soon as possible because we know we’ve got a tough run of fixtures to go. We’re excited.”

The 20-year-old’s performances for the Reds this season saw him shortlisted for the PFA Young Player of the Year award last week.

Asked about his nomination, Alexander-Arnold replied: “I found out after the away leg in Porto. It’s exciting.

“I’m really proud to be mentioned. There’s six really good players. It’s nice to have respect from other players.

“Michael Edwards told me. He spoke to my mum beforehand and I think my family knew before me but everyone wanted to focus on the game in Porto and get that out of the way before delivering the good news.”

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