Trent Alexander Arnold has said a piece of instinctive thinking was behind his superb free-kick that set Liverpool on their way to victory against Chelsea at Stanford Bridge on Sunday afternoon.
The assist king who had mentioned only a few days prior that he wanted to add to his goal tally more frequently, said there had been been a mini-conference between himself, Mo Salah and Jordan Henderson regarding how they were going to make the set-piece work.
When Salah rolled the ball to Alexander-Arnold, the right-back unleashed a thunderbolt of a strike which gave Kepa no chance in the Chelsea goal.
The Official site (via Sky Sports) reported Alexander Arnold as saying:
“Hendo wanted it at first and then I think he thought it was a bit too close for him.
“I discussed with Mo that I wanted it rolled to make the angle a little bit better and maybe confuse the ‘keeper a little bit, and I’ve been able to put it away.
“I thought it was too close to go over the wall, I didn’t know if the wall was going to jump so I couldn’t go under it, I had to go ‘keeper’s side.
“ It was a good roll and I just tried to put it as hard as I can that side with a bit of placement.
While the Reds had a comfortable 2-0 lead at half time after Roberto Firmino had doubled the visitors’ advantage with a header.
But it was a different story after the break, as they faced a home side that were intent of making a real game of things.
Alexander-Arnold said that the team knew that the game was far from over.
“Obviously you can’t expect to come to Stamford Bridge and have it all your own way.
“We were prepared to have it tough in the second half; they’re at home, they’re a proud side, they were always going to come out fighting.
“We started the second half quite well but the last 25 to 30 minutes were really tough.
“We had to defend well. Obviously they got the goal, we have been able to see it out in the end.”
The last 12 months have seen Liverpool tick off many club and league records in their unrelenting quest to be the best team in the land.
The 2-1 win saw the Reds record six straight wins to start the season for the second straight campaign.
In all, it is now 15 consecutive victories in the league and it is something the playing group are well aware of and want to build on.
Alexander Arnold said the nature of the victories also gave the players heart that they can win whatever the circumstances.
“ It’s massive, 15 [consecutive Premier League] wins shows what kind of side we are.
“ We have won all different types of games.
“Coming here is one of the toughest places to go in the season.
“For us to come here and get the win is massive for us; 18 points out of 18 is good going and hopefully we’ll carry on the good form.”
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