Paul Scholes questions whether Arne Slot ‘likes’ Trent Alexander-Arnold after spotting key reactions from the stands at Man United – as Liverpool vice-captain faces end of his contract

Paul Scholes has suggested that new Liverpool manager Arne Slot may not be a big fan of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Reds boss has made an excellent start to his career as manager of the club after taking over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer, having won all three of his games in charge without conceding a goal.

Alexander-Arnold has played a key role in that success, starting every game at right-back and then being at his best in a somewhat reversed role.

However, he was substituted fairly early in all matches: he played 76 minutes against Ipswich, 71 minutes against Brentford and 75 minutes against Manchester United.

With the England star’s contract expiring at the end of the season, there is uncertainty surrounding his future. Scholes, who spoke about Stick to footballoffered by SkyBet, has wondered what Slot really thinks of one of its star players.

Slot (pictured) has made an excellent start as Liverpool manager, winning all three of his games in charge so far.

However, Scholes (pictured) indicated that he had noticed Slot’s reactions against Manchester United

‘If you watch that game on Sunday, you see that every time he gives the ball away, [Slot] shook his head,’ said the former Manchester United midfielder. ‘He kept looking away and turning to his bench.

‘He tried those long balls, which he can obviously do brilliantly. I thought, “I’m not sure he likes it.”‘

“I think Slot, the way he wants to play, doesn’t really need long balls,” Jamie Carragher said. “He’ll want to keep him as a player.”

Scholes responded by praising Connor Bradley, who has also excelled at right-back for Liverpool, to which Carragher joked: ‘You’re trying to get rid of him, aren’t you?’

Alexander-Arnold was seen in tears after the final game of Klopp’s tenure last season and there were suggestions he would leave in the summer, without a new contract in place and with Real Madrid interested.

There are still no signs of positive negotiations between the defender and his club, with whom he has been involved since childhood.

He was spotted relaxing with England teammate and Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham over the summer, leading some fans to wonder what this could mean for his future.

The defender looked frustrated after being substituted against Ipswich but was the laughing stock after the 3-0 win over United last game.

Alexander-Arnold has impressed so far this season but has been substituted in all three games

The defender’s contract expires at the end of the season, and there are no signs of negotiations taking place so far

Jamie Carragher (pictured) suggested Liverpool fans could turn on the defender if he leaves the club

“I think his situation at Liverpool is really interesting,” former Reds player Carragher said of his contract scenario. “I always feel that when you’re a local player at Liverpool it’s hard to leave the club.

You have three players in [Mohamed] Salah, [Virgil] van Diijk and Trent. I think the reaction of Liverpool supporters, with Trent it will be different. If you go through it – [Steve] McManaman, [Steven] Gerrard, the fans turned around completely.

‘I think he’ll be treated differently and it was interesting in the first game when he came off and he looked a bit unhappy on the bench. Even though he’d only been there for two games, it was a bit like, “Who do you think you are?”‘

Liverpool take on Nottingham Forest at Anfield this weekend as the Premier League resumes after the international break.