Alexander-Arnold: Anfield is a fortress again this season

Trent Alexander-Arnold claims Anfield has become a fortress again after Liverpool maintained their unbeaten run in the Premier League this season with a 4-0 win against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

The right-back returned from injury to help the Reds to yet another clean sheet as Dejan Lovren, Mohamed Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho scored at the other end.

The result saw Liverpool extend their lead at the top of the table to six points, and Alexander-Arnold believes their success this season is at least partially down to the formidable nature of Anfield Stadium for visiting teams.

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WATFORD, ENGLAND – Saturday, November 24, 2018: Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold scores the second goal during the FA Premier League match between Watford FC and Liverpool FC at Vicarage Road. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

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“It’s a fortress again,” said Trent Alexander-Arnold, according to LiverpoolFC.com. “We have shown we’re tough to beat and not only that, we’re tough to score past. Not many teams come here and can score past us.

“We have kept a lot of clean sheets, especially at home. It’s something we pride ourselves on as defenders and throughout the whole team; we come off happy when we’ve got a clean sheet.

“That’s the foundation we’ve got to lay, then provide the balls for the attackers to go and do what they do best, scoring us goals.

“As long as everyone does their part – the attackers score the goals and the defenders keep the clean sheets – then you can’t go too wrong. That’s the formula for us at the minute.”

The young fullback capped off a solid return to the starting XI with an assist for Xherdan Shaqiri’s goal, and was pleased to see his manager retain faith in him after returning from injury.

“Even though I was only out for two games, it was hard, it was something I’ve not been through so far,” said Alexander-Arnold.

“I was eager to get back as soon as possible. It was good for the manager to be able to put me out there and hopefully I repaid him with the performance and result.

“We went in a goal up but it wasn’t enough. They are always dangerous on the counter-attack so it was important for us to get the next goal.

“Mo showed his speed and his talent, and won the pen – and then was able to put it away, which is good for us. The three points are very important for us.

“It was a big win. The festive period is a tough time for everyone and we came out really well. The first half was quite tough, it was hard to break them down.

“But we showed signs we could score goals and it was just about putting them away in the second half. That’s what we did and we came away with the three points, which is the most important thing.”

With increased depth this season, the Reds have been able to challenge more effectively for the title and appear to be a tougher unit overall, and Alexander-Arnold believes this has been key to their success during the busy festive period.

“We’ve got another game in a few days, against a tough opponent. They showed that only a few weeks ago when we played them at the Emirates,” he said.

“The festive period is very tough on the legs and the mind – it’s important to rest, recover and be able to be available for selection again, which is the main thing. That boosts the team.

“If everyone is up for selection it makes training more competitive and makes everyone work harder for the position, and essentially makes us all better players, which is the most important thing. That’s how we’re going to be successful, to push ourselves.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com