Reaction'A cross-shot' - Alexander-Arnold explains West Ham assist
Trent Alexander-Arnold coyly described his assist for Saturday's winning goal against West Ham United as a 'cross-shot'.
The No.66’s drive across the opposition box was converted at close range by Sadio Mane for a strike that would ultimately narrowly separate the sides in their Premier League meeting at Anfield.
There was plenty of debate post-match about whether Alexander-Arnold was aiming for the net himself or purposely trying to tee up Mane with a pass.
“I think it was a bit of a cross-shot, to be honest,” the right-back, who later produced a vital clearance to prevent Pablo Fornals from scoring, told Liverpoolfc.com.
“That’s what I’ll comment on it: a cross-shot. Just try to hit the target and anything can happen, and Sadio has anticipated it well and been able to tuck it in.
“We had a similar one against Atletico at home earlier on in the season, so maybe we need to keep doing that.”
Extended highlights: Liverpool 1-0 West Ham
What is certain is that the assist at the weekend was Alexander-Arnold’s 16th of the season so far in all competitions, equalling his personal best of 2018-19 with more than two months of football still to play.
It’s a tally the Scouser is naturally pleased with but one he is also determined to increase as the Reds pursue their ambitions in the Premier League, Champions League and Emirates FA Cup.
“I want to contribute as much as I can, I want to get as many assists as I can and help the team win games, so I think that is part and parcel of my game,” said Alexander-Arnold.
“I want to be in those positions to create for the team. I’ve racked up a lot of assists so far this season and hopefully many more.
“Hopefully we’ve got a lot of games in all competitions left to play, so hopefully I can keep adding to that tally and help the team win games.”
The next objective looms quickly into view as Internazionale visit Anfield on Tuesday night for the second leg of the Champions League last-16 tie.
Liverpool hold a 2-0 advantage after the opening leg at San Siro last month, where Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were on target.
Inside Milan: Inter 0-2 Liverpool
That success in Italy was the seventh of what is now a 12-match winning streak for Jürgen Klopp’s men, and Alexander-Arnold offered details of how the players are maintaining their momentum.
“To us, it’s not particularly about what competition we’re playing in, all of them are just as important as the other,” he said.
“So we are just trying to win every game we are playing at the minute, to be honest. There’s no secret formula to it. Every game is as important as the next and as important as the previous.
“We want to win every game we are in; we’ve been able to do that a lot of times over the last few years, so it’s about keeping that momentum up with the help of the whole squad.”