Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Trent Alexander-Arnold after he put his England frustrations behind him with a scintilating display for Liverpool.
The right-back, who was a shock omission from Gareth Southgate’s latest squad, played a starring role against Arsenal as the champions cruised to a 3-0 win.
It’s the third straight win for Klopp’s men who now have renwed hope of sealing a top four place and therefore securing Champions League football.
Alexander-Arnold played a pivotal role in proceedings, creating numerous chances, before earning himself an assist with an inch-perfect cross for the first goal.
After picking the ball up on the right flank, the 22-year old whipped in a stunning ball for Diogo Jota to nod into Bernd Leno’s net.
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
And the Liverpool star’s joy was clear to see after a fortnight of constant questions about his current standing in the English game.
He was captured by Sky Sports, clenching his fists in celebration and roaring, before pointing at the Portuguese goalscorer.
Mohamed Salah made it two shortly after, before Alexander-Arnold and Jota linked up again to put the cherry on top of the Liverpool cake.
Jota described his Liverpool teammate as “unreal”, while Klopp was delighted that his player managed to show his class against the Gunners.
Speaking to Sky Sports, the German said: “We scored these wonderful goals and Trent Alexander-Arnold showed his class, again. I don’t want to make another discussion about Trent or stuff like that.
“I said it was Gareth [Southgate’s] decision. He is blessed with the choice he has in that position especially but Trent is in a good shape. If somebody says he is not then I have to say he is wrong, that is all. I am not responsible for his decisions.”
Before the game Klopp admitted that he was very surprised at the England manager’s decision, claiming the squad must be very strong to leave him out.
“Trent is a very ambitious boy,” he said last week. “I know he wants to be in the England squad and he will try everything to be there again.
“If Trent Alexander-Arnold is not in the squad of England then England must have an extremely good squad, let me say it like this. As a summary, I respect the decision, of course I do, but I didn’t understand it.”
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