Trent Alexander-Arnold: Every win feels the same
The manner in which Liverpool win games matters little to Trent Alexander-Arnold.
A tight, hard-fought 1-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at Anfield on Saturday extended the Reds’ 100 per cent record at the start of the Premier League season.
Mohamed Salah’s precise finish midway through the first half was enough for Jürgen Klopp’s team to follow up their 4-0 success over West Ham United and 2-0 win at Selhurst Park with another three points.
Alexander-Arnold is part of a defence that has recorded a trio of clean sheets to begin the campaign, too, and the England international is satisfied with the way his side ground out their latest victory.
“It’s the Premier League so not every game is going to be straightforward, especially today they had a lot of chances and we’re happy to keep the clean sheet and come away with the three points, which is the main thing,” the Academy graduate told Liverpoolfc.com post-match.
“Every win feels the same, whether you score six or seven goals or you win 1-0, they all feel the same. The tighter games make you work harder and it makes it that little bit sweeter when you come out with the win.
“You want to keep as many clean sheets as you can and that’s how you win games, keeping clean sheets.
“If you keep a clean sheet you’re guaranteed to get a point and we’re happy the way it’s going through the whole team. It’s not just the back four and the goalkeeper, it’s obviously the midfield and even the attackers who showed today that they can win the ball high up and punish teams.”
Salah’s decisive goal came from James Milner’s aggressive pressing high up the pitch, which turned over possession. Roberto Firmino then fed the Egyptian, who steered a first-time finish beyond Mathew Ryan and in off the post.
Alexander-Arnold continued: “They came with a game plan. They tried to stop us from creating chances and they did that to a certain extent, but with the attacking force that we’ve got it’s hard to keep us out for the whole game. Mo showed that he only needed one chance really, and he took it and got the goal.
“We were pushing and we weren’t quite getting any joy from it and then out of nothing we win the ball high up, which is what we want to do, nick the ball and be lethal, which is what we want to be.”
Alisson Becker produced an excellent reaction stop late on to preserve Liverpool’s advantage - after he had showcased his footballing ability with a cheeky dink over Anthony Knockaert.
“I think he’s a world-class goalkeeper and he’s shown it today,” Alexander-Arnold said of the Brazilian.
“His composure on the ball is probably one of the best in the world and he definitely showed that with the chip - hopefully he doesn’t have to do that again!”