'Can change the game': BBC pundit says one Liverpool player was 'magnificent' tonight despite EL elimination

7 months ago 101

On Thursday night, Liverpool took on Atalanta in hope of overturning a 3-0 deficit in their Europa League quarter-final tie.

One of the changes from Reds boss Jurgen Klopp saw Trent Alexander-Arnold make his first start since February, having recovered from a knee injury.

Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool take the lead on the night, his attempted cross in the fifth minute striking the hand of Matteo Ruggeri in the box to gift the Reds a penalty.

Mohamed Salah stepped up and sent the Atalanta keeper the wrong way to make it 1-0 and give Liverpool the perfect start on the night.

Alexander-Arnold was absolutely superb in the first half, completing 36 passes, recovering the ball eight times, completing two dribbles and winning one tackle.

 Quarter-Final Second Leg - UEFA Europa League 2023/24
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

BBC Sport pundit and former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, covering the match on Radio 5 Live, loved what he saw from the 25-year-old.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold can change the game,” said Warnock.

“A ball that wasn’t even on, but it changed from defence to attack.”

Later on, Warnock said: “Trent has been magnificent in this first half but it is a long way out.”

Alexander-Arnold continued to do well in the second half, practically playing in midfield and spraying passes around the pitch.

However, Alexander-Arnold’s influence was more restricted since the break, not to mention Liverpool had to be careful with his workload after coming back from injury.

The 25-year-old ultimately made way for Joe Gomez in the 72nd minute of the match. And while Alexander-Arnold did well on the night, sadly Liverpool couldn’t build on them.

Liverpool won 1-0 on the night, which saw Atalanta progress 3-1 on aggregate at the expense of the Anfield outfit.

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