Arne Slot says he understands the frustrations of Trent Alexander-Arnold after the Liverpool vice-captain cut a dejected figure upon being substituted against Brentford.

Liverpool breezed past the Bees 2-0 after goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah — but fans quickly noticed Alexander-Arnold’s gloomy expression when he was taken off midway through the second half.

Arne Slot admitted he understood Trent Alexander-Arnold’s frustration after being subbed

Alexander-Arnold appeared dejected after coming off in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Brentford

Slot stressed it was important to ‘take care’ of Alexander-Arnold ahead of a long season

After subbing off Trent Alexander-Arnold, Arne Slot came up to him and started saying something. The right-back looked really pissed off, though, and whispered something under his breath after Liverpool manager left.

This interaction between them left some fans worried about their relationship:

One person said: “Doesn’t look like Trent is Slot’s biggest fan yet”

The second fan expressed: “Grow up Trent”

The third continues: “Get this behaviour from Trent in the bin. Slot will have seen it all before. We dont need no huge egos in Slots first season.”

Jota comforts Arnold after the match

Slot, though, says he understands why players get upset if they do not manage 90 minutes. ‘He didn’t look that happy after being taken off,’ said the Dutch head coach after his Anfield bow.

‘I understand. Every player wants to play 90 minutes. I don’t think the players that were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choice I made.

‘But Trent came back from the national team where in the beginning of the tournament he played quite a lot then he didn’t. Had a few weeks off, came back, this is only his third game.

‘We have to take care of him because we need him for the whole season and not just the first two games.

‘But what is good for me is that I have a very good backup as well with Conor (Bradley). So we are taking care of Trent. But he played a good game.’

Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Curtis Jones missed the match with a minor muscle tweak and is now up against it to be fit for next Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.