Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold that he expects a tough response if he returns to Anfield intending to make the England right-back “very difficult”. Arne Slott’s side are set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League, with Alexander-Arnold likely to be on the Spanish giants’ bench.
The full-back, who made 353 appearances for Liverpool after joining as a youngster, was booed by fans when he announced he was leaving Anfield before the end of last season. Despite his impressive track record with Liverpool, winning the Champions League, two Premier Leagues, an FA Cup and a League Cup, the academy graduate is unlikely to receive a warm welcome if he were to take to the pitch against a side in the slot.
Former captain Van Dijk believes there will be little sentimentality if he ends up facing Alexander-Arnold.
“I think Trent is a quality player. He showed it many times. He is a very talented player and has been important to us for many years. I was very happy to have him in the team.”
“We’ve been very successful, but now he’s our opponent on Tuesday. If he’s going to play, we’ve got to make it very difficult for him to do what he’s good at.”
Despite Alexander-Arnold keeping in touch with some of his former team-mates, Van Dijk revealed that he was not one of them.
Asked if he still speaks to the 27-year-old defender, he said: “Not really.” “There’s nothing personal. Obviously, I’m living my life and he’s living his life in Madrid.”
Asked on Tuesday night if he expected a hostile atmosphere towards Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk said: “I’m not going to comment on that. I think he was outstanding at Liverpool and that’s the only thing I can say.”
When pressed further about the potential hostility, he simply said, “Let’s wait and see.”
Following the match against Real Madrid, Liverpool will face Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
“Then I want to go to the national team and hopefully qualify for the World Cup as well, which is a few weeks away,” declared Van Dijk, who appeared to be back in form after Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield on Sunday.
It was Liverpool’s first clean sheet since mid-September and Van Dijk hopes it marks a return to consistent top form.
He added, “There’s still a lot of soccer to play and a lot of things to focus on. Even if we’ve won the game, we have to focus on the games ahead. Stay healthy, stay in shape and try to perform when we play.”
“And every three or four days, you have an opportunity to do that. So next time, by March or something, you’ll know where you are.”
