While responses to the England international’s decision to end his 20-year association with the club have varied greatly among fans and pundits, the Liverpool manager stated that it’s not his place to dictate how fans should react.
Slot intends to speak with Alexander-Arnold on Friday during training to check in on his feelings following the announcement, as they’ve only communicated via WhatsApp since their last meeting on Monday.
“It’s not new for anyone to have opinions about us, whether it’s Trent, me, or someone else,” Slot commented. “Maybe it’s a bit more for him now, and probably a bit more negative, but I don’t follow all of it. I’m not here to tell fans how they should react.”
He added, “We’re all disappointed, but Trent himself said he’d prefer that the team and the club not be overly distracted by this announcement. I hope the energy on Sunday will focus on the players, and as little as possible on Trent – unless it’s positive, then they can do whatever they want.”
Having worked at clubs like AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord, where top players frequently left, Slot said he was more accustomed to this situation. “The experience I have – and this club as well – is that when a very good player leaves, the next good player steps up, and that will probably happen now.”
