Football

Against Ross County on Saturday afternoon, the on-loan attacker came off the bench to provide the assist for Alan Forrest’s decisive header, just days after scoring the winner in the League Cup quarter final against Kilmarnock.

While Lowry’s quality on the ball has rarely been questioned, Naismith says it is the lessons he is learning out of possession that will earn him a spot in the starting XI on a more regular basis.

“He probably could be a bit disappointed not to start (against Ross County), but I was thinking more about our structure and I knew it was going to change in the second half,” Naismith said.

“I challenge him all the time to give us an end product and I thought he was really good off the ball today. We can’t have a luxury player, he needs to be in certain positions and I thought he did that really well when he came on.

“For 90 per cent of his youth career he has been on the front foot. He has come in here where teams play more directly than he will have been used to and he needs to learn that.

“A lot of the time when the second ball dropped, he was on it because his positioning was brilliant.

“That’s the part he needs to do consistently and then he can ask to start. He has done that in the last two games, which is pleasing.”

County boss Malky Mackay, meanwhile, felt a draw would have been a fair result after his side left the Global Energy Stadium empty-handed.

He said: “I think over the piece, a draw was probably a fair result.

“We were up against a good team with a big squad of players and I thought we managed the game well.

“We knew the threats they had, especially (Lawrence) Shankland who is a clever player and we managed that really well and thought that as the game went on we would kick on.

“It’s the top end of the park I thought we should have been better. The quality that’s usually there wasn’t today, so that’s probably what I’m most disappointed about.

“The ball went into the final third and didn’t stick as well as it should have and near the end, especially, we have chances but don’t test their goalkeeper and that’s what annoys me. We’ve got to get better at that.”

Steven Naismith’s men had forged in front through Jorge Grant’s first-half strike only to be pegged back by Brad Lyons’ equaliser.

With extra time looming, Lowry – who had been on the pitch for less than two minutes – took a pass from Liam Boyce before rolling his shot into the far corner of the net.

It was the on-loan Rangers forward’s first goal for Hearts since arriving at Tynecastle on loan last month and will ease some of the pressure that had been mounting on Naismith.

Kilmarnock had made just one change from the side that drew with Dundee at the weekend with David Watson coming in for Marley Watkins, the match winner against Celtic in the previous round.

There were three changes from the Hearts team beaten by St Mirren. In came Grant, Toby Sibbick and Alan Forrest, replacing Nathaniel Atkinson, Boyce and Beni Baningime.

The Tynecastle side came into the tie on a run of just one win from six games and the travelling support made their feelings knows as they unfurled a banner before kick-off that read, “funded by fans, ran by clowns, we deserve better”.

It was Hearts who had the first chance but a drive from Lawrence Shankland drifted well wide of goal.

At the other end Matty Kennedy’s mazy run carried him into the box only for Zander Clark to make a strong save to keep out his shot.

Five minutes before half-time, Hearts were ahead. Kyle Rowles carried the ball forward before feeding Shankland. The Hearts captain laid it off for Grant whose first-time finish found the bottom corner.

Kilmarnock replied with a Kyle Magennis volley that sailed off target, with the same player then coming even closer with a good chance early in the second half.

Hearts almost doubled their lead when Stephen Kingsley’s inventive effort struck the crossbar. The impressive Magennis then teed up Kyle Vassell at the other end and the striker’s driven effort was well pushed away by Clark.

The home side, though, would not be denied after 67 minutes. Vassell found Kennedy wide on the left and the winger’s trickery fooled Sibbick to earn himself a bit of space. The former Aberdeen man then weighted the perfect cross for Lyons to head home.

The home side looked the ones most likely to win it within the regulation 90 minutes but instead it was Hearts who will be heading to Hampden after Lowry’s dramatic late intervention.

The Scots got off to a terrific start to their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign in March with a 3-0 home win over Cyprus and a more unlikely 2-0 victory over Group A’s top seeds, also at Hampden Park.

With six points from six, Clarke’s side will travel to Norway for their June 17 clash  before hosting Georgia in Glasgow three days later.

Speaking at Hampden Park, where he was promoting Viaplay’s live and exclusive coverage of the Norway and Georgia matches, the former Scotland boss said: “Every game is a threat and we can’t go into any game with complacency.

“The fact that we have beaten Spain has probably got everybody terrified of playing against Scotland so we now have that status.

“Any game is tough at international level, it is a whole new ball game but at the same time we have become a little bit fearful to a lot of countries who are going to play against Scotland because of recent results.

“The Spanish one elevated us to another level.

“First and foremost one of the things people fear is when they see results such as the Spanish one and they think, ‘Scotland beating Spain, God’s sake’.

“That is a wee bonus  but of course you have to reach the same levels in every game.

“It is not going to be easy but if we can get a positive result, there is no looking back, we have to be positive.

“If we get the results we expect now from the Scotland national team that will stand us in good stead.”

Clarke’s side, in the first match of the double-header, have to stop Manchester City striker Erling Haaland.

The 22-year-old helped Pep Guardiola’s side write themselves into history after finally claiming Champions League glory when they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in the Istanbul final on Saturday night, to complete the treble of league, FA Cup and Champions League triumphs.

The former Aberdeen and Scotland centre-back was asked how he would deal with Haaland, who scored 58 goals for club and country last season,  if he were still playing.

McLeish said: “What a player he is. He is phenomenal.

“How would I deal with him? Well back in the day I would have dealt with him in a different way than you can now because of VAR etc.

“He is a handful but a great challenge for our defenders. They have grown in stature and to go against Haaland is another challenge for them. You can’t take your eye off him for a second.

“It is about concentration. The boys at the back have the capabilities of dealing with those types of players but you cannot let him be free at all in the box.”

Alex Mitchell handed the Imps an early lead at Highbury and it proved crucial, as Fleetwood were reduced to 10 men late on through Toto Nsiala’s red card.

Fleetwood’s Jack Marriott fired wide on the turn in the opening phase, but the visitors took a sixth-minute advantage when Mitchell stabbed the ball home from close range after connecting with Reeco Hackett’s overhead kick.

Ted Bishop headed over after 25 minutes as the visitors remained in control, though Xavier Simons tested goalkeeper Lukas Jensen at the other end, moments later.

Ethan Hamilton took aim from distance for the Imps but Jay Lynch was equal to it, while Marriott drew Jensen into action early in the second half.

Junior Quitirna blasted the ball over before the hour mark and Bosun Lawal later fired wide as the Cod Army sought an equaliser.

Nsiala was dismissed deep in injury time for clumsily bundling over Lincoln’s Jovan Makama.

The 31-year-old, twice a Women's World Cup winner, left Tottenham last month after a three-month playing spell in England.

Although London has become a coronavirus hot spot, Morgan says she was back in the USA when the virus struck.

She wrote on Twitter: "Unfortunately, my family and I closed out 2020 learning that we had contracted Covid while in California over the holidays.

"We are all in good spirits and recovering well. After our isolation is completed, I will follow US Soccer's return to play guidelines to ensure my body is fully recovered and I can join my team-mates back on the field soon. Be safe and happy new year."

Morgan is married to former LA Galaxy and Orlando City footballer Servando Carrasco, and they celebrated a sixth wedding anniversary on December 31. Their first child was born last May.

The USWNT great signed for Spurs in September, having not played since August 2019 due to pregnancy and the disruption caused by the pandemic.

She made five appearances for Spurs in all competitions, scoring two goals. Morgan is a two-time Women's World Cup winner and has scored 107 goals in 170 appearances for the USA.

Morgan is expected to resume her club career with the Orlando Pride in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), ahead of playing at the Tokyo Olympics.

Orlando retained the 31-year-old forward's NWSL rights when she made the short-term move to Tottenham.

The USWNT star signed for Spurs in September, having not played since August 2019 due to pregnancy and the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The 31-year-old, twice a Women's World Cup winner, will head back to the USA when the first half of the Women's Super League season has concluded.

She made five appearances for Spurs in all competitions, scoring two goals.

"I will be forever grateful to the club, my team-mates and Spurs supporters for taking such good care of me and my family," she said via a statement issued by the club.

"From the moment I arrived in London, I realised I was part of a first-class organisation, one that helped provide me the opportunity to immerse myself back into the game I love.

"Thank you to everyone who helped make this chapter in my soccer journey so special... COYS."

Spurs' head of women's football Heather Cowan said: "We were delighted at the start of the season when Alex chose us as her club to help regain fitness and take her first steps back into competitive football after giving birth earlier this year.

"It has been a pleasure to have Alex with us during this period and the whole squad has taken a lot from working every day with someone at the top of the women's game.

"We wish Alex all the best for the future both at club and international level as she prepares to return back home with her family. She will always be welcome here at Spurs."

New hero Andre Vidigal starred again as he notched his fourth goal in as many games since a summer move from Maritimo.

The Portuguese winger – who turned 25 in midweek – fired in a second-half winner with an emphatic strike on the volley.

And, in the process, The Potters secured successive league victories at home for the first time since April 2022, while they also beat West Brom in the cup.

“We’ve now won three games on the bounce at home and I think that’s vitally important to get our fans onside and backing us,” Neil said.

“You can see that connection starting to happen because the fans can see that the players left everything on the pitch so I’m really pleased.

“Watford are a really good side and they’ll be at the top end of the division for me so we knew it was going to be tough.

“In the main, we contained them really well, defensively we were sound and we got a goal that changed the dynamic of the game.

“You could see today that we were good in both boxes in terms of that final strike to get a goal and when we needed Travers at the other end.”

Neil also praised the in-form Vidigal, who continues to impress on English soil.

“The biggest thing about Andre is that he’s equally comfortable playing off the left, off the right or as a centre forward.

“He’s always going to get chances, he’s always looked a threat and he actually could’ve had more with the chances he’s had.

“He’s got that unbelievable knack of landing in the right position and getting strikes away and he just wants to score.

“He said to me at half-time, ‘Don’t worry, I’m going to score!’ and then he did so fair play to him.”

Meanwhile, Watford’s unbeaten league start under new boss Valerien Ismael comes to an end.

Substitute Yaser Asprilla spurned two glorious opportunities to open the scoring and then level late on, but the Colombia international failed to convert.

“Our performance in the first half was not good enough and we didn’t stick to our gameplan,” Ismael admitted.

“We created chances but it wasn’t enough and we weren’t present in the basics.

“If you are not having a good day, at least make sure you get the basics right and we didn’t do that.

“That’s what I said at half-time and in the second half we came out much better, but we conceded a goal in our best period of the game.

“We created a lot of chances after that so at least we saw our identity, but it’s a journey in this division.

“The players need to learn that the Championship is ruthless and every game you’ve got to be on it and if you think it is going to be easy you will be punished like today.

“We will learn from the game and make sure from the beginning we are ready to compete, especially in away games.

“You can lose games, I don’t mind, but at least I want to see the identity and the mentality in the players, and I missed it in the first half.

“What we deserve is the criticism that we didn’t perform for 90 minutes.”

Maritimo recruit Andre Vidigal was the highlight of the Potters’ six debutants as he capped an impressive display with a brace.

“I thought we looked like an exciting team,” Neil said. “We wanted to start the season well because there’s been a lot of optimism and a lot of talk.

“But the talk was always going to stop, so to win in the manner in which we did was very pleasing.”

Ki-Jana Hoever, returning for a second loan spell at the club, emphatically volleyed in the opener inside five minutes, while Vidigal’s quickfire double in first-half added time then handed Stoke a comfortable lead.

The Millers threatened a comeback when substitute Lee Peltier scored with his first touch straight after the restart.

However, Cafu’s red card ended any hope of a Rotherham reprieve and Jacob Brown capitalised to add the hosts’ fourth late on.

Neil added: “I thought the first goal was excellent and that set the tone, so to go on and score four goals was something we didn’t do very often last season.

“And to do it with six debutants in the team and a few more new players who came on, that speaks volumes for where the lads are.

“To get some of the new guys to score and get some of the performances we got – and to win at home so emphatically – was very pleasing.”

Neil singled out new addition Vidigal for individual praise, with the winger becoming the first Stoke player to net a brace on his debut since John Tudor in 1976.

He added: “It’s hard not to pick him (as man of the match) because he scored two goals and he had a header in the second half which their keeper made a wonderful save.

“He was really effective in the game. You can see his hunger to get into the middle of the box and get a goal and that’s going to be vitally important for us this season.”

Rotherham boss Matt Taylor expressed his frustration in a difficult afternoon for his visiting side.

“It was a tough afternoon for us,” he said.

“They’re a good team and they got on the front foot and we struggled to get any aspect of control.

“We did well to keep it at 1-0 for a large period of the first half and I was pleased that we showed enough character to stay in the game.

“But then (conceding) two goals in quick succession is really frustrating and it looked like a mountain to climb.

“There’s lots to take from it in terms of where we have to improve, but character and personality-wise, we were better in the second half.

“A lot of teams go two or three behind and almost when you’ve got nothing to lose, you play differently when the pressure’s off.

“Mentally we had nothing to lose and we asked them to show a little bit more belief; they started to show it but when Cafu got sent off, it was a difficult one for us.

“We weren’t sharp enough, bright enough or good enough in that first half and we know we can be better.

“We’ve caught a good team on a very good day and a poor day for ourselves, but we know we can improve in certain areas.”

Having started the campaign reasonably slowly, the Potters have exploded into life in the past week with successive victories over Sunderland, Leeds and Middlesbrough.

The latest of those wins saw them triumph 2-0 over Boro at the Riverside Stadium thanks to first-half goals from Michael Rose and Mehdi Leris.

The win saw Stoke climb into the top half of the table for the first time this season, with Neil confident his side will only get better as his summer signings continue to bed in.

He said: “I think the last three results and performances show where we could get to. It shows the potential.

“I think we look relatively settled now in terms of how we’re going to play, and we’ve managed to churn out three great performances and three great results in a row.

“We’re not getting ahead of ourselves – I think there’s been too many false dawns at Stoke, but I think, for us, we’ve got great potential and great scope. We’re only going to get better, and I’m expecting us to be good this season.”

Stoke’s win was achieved without goalkeeper Mark Travers, who was recalled by his parent club Bournemouth on Friday because of an injury to their first-choice Neto.

Neil said: “We’re gutted. You want as many strong players in your squad as you can. To lose Trav is hugely disappointing, especially because I thought he was coming on to a great game just before he left.

“He was feeling at ease at the club. It’s only just into double figures of games that he’s played for us, but unfortunately he’s had to go back. That’s a blow, but football’s always challenging somewhere along the line.”

Middlesbrough were chasing the game from the moment Rose headed home from a corner in the eighth minute, and fell further behind when Leris fired an angled drive into the bottom corner eight minutes before the break.

Josh Coburn struck the crossbar with a long-range drive, but Michael Carrick admitted his side had fallen short of the standards they had set as they embarked on a seven-game winning run that is now at an end.

Carrick said: “It’s disappointing. You’ve got to put things into perspective as well though. They are a good team, and if you are little bit off it then you get punished in this league.

“It just shows the levels that it takes to win games and look like you’re winning well. We were just a little bit off it really, from the start you could just feel we weren’t quite there.

“Even then, at half-time, I thought we finished the half well enough where there was enough in it there to have a real good go in the second half. It just didn’t really materialise in the end.”

After a bright start from both sides, Alty took the lead in the 24th minute through Chris Conn-Clarke’s thumping shot into the bottom-left corner – his fourth goal in as many matches.

Aldershot’s response was immediate, but Ryan Glover’s effort came back off a post.

They were awarded a penalty with just under 20 minutes remaining and Cian Harries stepped up to equalise.

But the visitors’ joy was short-lived as Alty regained the lead five minutes later when Alex Newby found the bottom corner and that was how it stayed.

The Robins substitute looked certain to score in the 87th minute when set up in a central position just 10 yards out, but Palmer spread himself and stretched out a leg to make a crucial save.

Albion nearly won it themselves in stoppage time when substitute Josh Maja was denied by a goal-saving tackle from Kal Naismith and in the end a draw was a fair outcome from an entertaining encounter.

City dominated much of the first half, playing fast, attacking football down both flanks that only lacked a decisive finish.

Nahki Wells might have had a hat-trick inside 15 minutes, first being denied by a goal-saving tackle by Cedric Kipre, then shooting just wide and having another effort blocked for a corner.

Jason Knight shot over from 20 yards and Naismith was also off-target from just outside the box before Sam Bell’s low shot flew into the side-netting after 33 minutes.

Two minutes later Albion goalkeeper Palmer missed his kick on the right edge of the penalty area and Mark Sykes got in behind to hit the far post with his low drive from a narrow angle.

It did not look like being City’s day. But they had an escape soon afterwards when Albion created their one first-half chance, Brandon Thomas-Asante breaking clear down the middle, only to be robbed by Zak Vyner’s brilliant recovery tackle as he prepared to shoot.

Wells shot weakly at Palmer when well-placed in the 43rd minute, but City left the pitch to warm applause from their fans, despite failing to break the deadlock.

Playing towards their own fans, Albion looked sharper at the start of the second half without forcing a save from Max O’Leary.

Still City looked dangerous and Sykes had a 60th-minute header tipped over by Palmer. But it was more of a contest as at the other end Okay Yokuslu’s header was deflected for a corner.

Albion were starting to look the more likely winners as the game entered its closing stages. Erik Pieters shot over and Vyner did well to block an effort from Maja.

The visitors were denied by the woodwork in the 82nd minute when John Swift’s header struck the crossbar. Seconds later substitute Conor Townsend fired wide with the goal at his mercy.

City appeared to be tiring, but they almost snatched victory through Cornick’s chance and moments later Joe Williams fired inches over.

Albion were not finished, but, while Naismith’s challenge on Maja had 2,500 travelling fans yelling for a penalty, he appeared to win the ball cleanly.

Former Livingston striker Jack Hamilton headed Josh Mullin’s corner home after 25 minutes for his 10th goal of the season in all competitions as the home side took the lead.

But six minutes later, Samuel equalised with the first goal of his nine-minute treble as he fired Nathan Shaw’s assist down the centre of the goal.

The 28-year-old on-loan Ross County forward picked out the bottom corner for his brace before completing his hat-trick – five minutes ahead of half-time – to make it four goals in two games after scoring on his Caley debut in the cup last weekend.

Seven minutes after the break, Lewis Vaughan reduced the deficit for the hosts after some good work from Zak Rudden but the visitors held on for maximum points.

The star of the show was undoubtedly new signing Marcus Tudor, whose remarkable display saw him net an incredible five goals, leaving Monedderlust FC reeling from the onslaught. The emphatic win served as sweet revenge for Slingerz FC, who had suffered a 1-0 upset at the hands of Monedderlust FC in the Elite League playoffs back in January.

Despite Tudor's stellar performance, Coach Thomas was quick to commend the collective effort of his team, highlighting their adherence to the game plan and flawless execution on the field. Speaking to Sportsmax.TV in the aftermath of the resounding victory, Thomas expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance and expressed optimism for the season ahead.

"The key to the emphatic win tonight was the players sticking to the objective, sticking to the game plan and executing," remarked Thomas, visibly elated by the result. "I want to say congrats to the Slingerz team. It’s good to start out on a winning note, put our best foot forward and plan for the next one. The team was organized and patient with the ball in possession and in transition, those were the key elements."

Singling out Tudor, Coach Thomas praised the young player but emphasized that he will work to make him better as the season progresses.

"His performance  was good last night. He is a youngster and I do not want to put too much pressure on him. Five goals, that is big for him but I will take him one game at a time and help build his mental and physical capacity but kudos to him. He did well for himself last night."

Thomas, 41, assumed the role of head coach at Slingerz FC just over a week prior, following the departure of Charles 'Lilly' Pollard in early February. Pollard, reflecting on his decision to step down, cited difficulties in conveying his message to the players as the primary reason for his departure.

"I think I lost the dressing room for some reason or another because it’s difficult to get my message across to the players, and that’s why I believe that I lost them," explained Pollard to Stabroek Sport. "As a coach, you have to know when to say or acknowledge that I can’t penetrate these players and need to walk away."

In light of Sunday night's dominating performance, it appears Thomas has successfully revitalized the team, with every player back to performing at their best. The victory not only marks a promising start to Thomas' coaching career in Guyana but also sets the stage for an exciting and competitive season ahead for Slingerz FC in the Elite League.

Slingerz FC will play next on March 5 when they take on F/Conquerors FC.

Thomas, who took the reins after departing Jamaica Premier League unit Molynes FC in November 2023, faces a challenging start, aiming to avenge Slingerz FC's previous 1-0 upset defeat to Monedderlust FC in the Elite League playoff last January. Despite the setback, Slingerz secured their place in the championship by defeating Victoria FC a week later.

With just one week to prepare, Thomas has hit the ground running, emphasizing the mental and physical aspects of the game to his new squad. In an exclusive interview with Sportsmax.TV, Thomas expressed satisfaction with the warm welcome and effort from the players.

“I have had to do things fast. I’ve been trying to get to know the players, trying to get them to understand what I want, how I want them to play mentally and physically. It’s a lot of work but they have given me a warm welcome and they’re putting in the work.

“In the future, you’re going to need more players to complete the squad but this is the squad that I am working with for Sunday.”

Notwithstanding, he believes the team will be ready to begin a successful campaign against the team that upset them in early January.

“Definitely, I have prepared the players to the best of my ability so the players can execute well on Sunday. They understand that Monedderlust FC is the team that beat Slingerz FC in the playoff for promotion and Slingerz finished second so it’s going to be a big grudge match, so it’s going to be more of a mental game, get them up to speed, get them vibing, energetic but they’re doing what they do best.

“At any given time you want to put your best foot forward, especially in a new job, a new challenge, a new environment because coming from Jamaica you have to understand everything going on around you, the culture, the people, everything; so it’s a learning process not only for football but the whole general aspect of things but you always want to put your best foot forward to win.”

Last season’s National League North champions went behind in the 12th minute when Reece Smith nicked the ball off a defender and slotted home.

Maidenhead doubled their advantage seven minutes later as Emeka Obi diverted a cross into his own net.

Obi was denied at the other end with Craig Ross saving his close-range header before Fylde started their comeback in the 33rd minute courtesy of Nick Haughton.

Ashley Nathaniel-George hit the crossbar for Maidenhead, while Ross produced a brilliant close-range save to deny Jonathan Ustabasi.

After Connor Barrett was sent off for Fylde late on for a reckless tackle on Smith, the visitors levelled thanks to Whitmore’s header from a corner in added time and almost stole the points as Haughton’s effort came back off the crossbar.

Alexander-Arnold made his Premier League debut eight years ago under Jurgen Klopp as an 18-year-old and has since made 233 league appearances for Liverpool. 

In the top-flight, he has 59 assists, the joint-most by a defender in the competition's history, alongside team-mate Andy Robertson. 

Since making his debut, the 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world, having also picked up 33 senior caps for England.

However, Alexander-Arnold admitted the position he was in had the potential to be overwhelming for someone like him.

"At first it's quite intimidating because so many people are watching you and so many people are wanting to see what you're doing and emulate what you're doing," he told the Liverpool club website.

"You get to a point where you embrace it and use it as motivation, I think," he said.

"Growing up I had idols like Stevie G [Steven Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragher] who, not their message directly to me, but the careers themselves and being from the city and going through the academy system made it possible.

"In my mind, it was like, 'If they can do it, why can't I?' They've probably played on the same fields as I have. They were doing the same things in the academy, and they came through the same system and were able to achieve it. So, if I've got enough discipline, hard work and talent, then why can't I go and do that?

"I think that's something that sticks with me a lot of the time. It's sometimes the reason why I push myself to show people if you're willing to work hard enough that anything is possible."

Alexander-Arnold says he is aware of the example he sets to others who might be in the position he was before playing for Liverpool, though he was conscious of highlighting the effort it takes to get to where he is now.

"That's something that is firmly in my mind. If you do think it, you can do it, but it'll take hard work. But if you're willing to put that in, you can do and achieve any dream you want," he said.

Alexander-Arnold burst onto the scene at Anfield in 2016, and it was under Klopp's guidance that the England international made his name in the Premier League. 

The 25-year-old won seven major honours under the German head coach, with only Roberto Firmino (355), Mohamed Salah (349) and James Milner (323) making more appearances than Alexander-Arnold (310) under Klopp in all competitions.

But following Klopp's departure at the end of last season, his successor Slot has adapted well to life on Merseyside, winning five of his first six games in all competitions. 

The latest came last weekend in a comfortable 3-0 win over Bournemouth, with Alexander-Arnold reaching 100 goal involvements (19 goals and 81 assists) for the Reds with his assist for Luis Diaz's second of the game. 

However, Alexander-Arnold has spoken highly of his time under Slot, while also outlining the pair's discussions about improving this season, especially the defensive side of his game. 

That has already seemingly transpired, with only Alexis Mac Allister (12) and Ryan Gravenberch (nine) winning more tackles than Alexander-Arnold (seven) in the Premier League this season for the Reds. 

The Liverpool right-back has not neglected his attacking responsibilities, though, creating a team-high 13 chances along with the most successful crosses (eight) this term.

But Alexander-Arnold feels as though he is already benefitting from his time under Slot, despite the Dutchman only being in the infancy of his tenure. 

"I said to him [Slot] that I would like to be the defender that no one wants to come up against in Europe. We agreed that he will be harsh on me," Alexander-Arnold said. 

If any time an attacker gets by me and gets past me, he will call it out in meetings, and individual meetings, and say this cannot happen.

"We go through every game together and he highlights where he wants me to improve.

"Even after the Milan game, we had about 20 clips going through what I could have done better and the good parts as well."

He added: "It is really refreshing to have a manager who will help and guide and teach me how to be better as a player.

"I am someone who wants to learn, someone who wants to be the best and someone who strives to be the best ever."

Alexander-Arnold is into the final year of his existing deal with the Reds, and has been linked with a move to reigning Champions League and LaLiga winners Real Madrid.

The England defender is now Liverpool's vice-captain to skipper Virgil van Dijk who, along with Mohamed Salah, is also out of contract at the end of this season.

However, speaking ahead of the Reds' clash with Chelsea on Sunday, Slot says dealing with speculation on a frequent basis is nothing new to his players. 

"I think you underestimate our players," the Dutchman told reporters during his pre-match press conference. "These players are used to being linked with all the top clubs on a daily basis, if they have contracts or not.

"If you think they're disturbed by this interest, then you don't do justice to how strong they are mentally. This is part of our job. This is part of this world we are living in. You just focus on what you have to do.

"Maybe, if you're 17 or 18 years of age, it could be difficult for you. But Trent has won the league, has won the Champions League; Virgil and Mo the same. I don't think that is a problem for them to perform and that's what we see at the moment, because they're playing really well."

Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed a positive start to the campaign, playing all seven Premier League matches for Liverpool, who are the early pace setters in the English top flight.

The England full-back has also started all four of the Three Lions' Nations League games under interim boss Lee Carsley.

"He's been very good for us until now," Slot added. "He was - and is still - important in the attacking part of our game.

"I also like the way he has defended until now in the games he has played for us. I think he made a step-up in that perspective.

"But, like all the others, there's still room for improvement. That's clear. But he's done very well for us this season, and I think he's done really well for the national team as well."

The six-time champions, who failed to qualify for last season's competition, fell behind after just three minutes at San Siro when Christian Pulisic rounded off a swift counter.

However, Liverpool responded with a pair of headers from Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk turning the contest around, before Dominik Szoboszlai's second-half strike sealed the three points.

And Alexander-Arnold was thrilled to see the Reds hit the ground running in the revamped competition.

"I think this club belongs in the Champions League with the history that it's had and [it was] disappointing last year not being a part of it," he told CBS Sports.

"But we're back where we belong and [there is] no better way to get this campaign started than getting a win at the San Siro – a special venue, a special stadium and an unbelievable result."

Alexander-Arnold's assist for Konate's equaliser was his 80th for Liverpool, with Kevin De Bruyne (146) and team-mate Mohamed Salah (90) the only Premier League players to provide more since his debut in October 2016.

After helping England reach the Euro 2024 final in July, the full-back has started all five of the Reds' games this season under Arne Slot, while he also began both of the Three Lions' Nations League fixtures against the Republic of Ireland and Finland earlier this month.

"I had a short time off in the summer where, after the Euros, there was a little bit of time for holidays and then back into it," he added.

"I think it was just an excitement to work under a new manager that I had never had before and, having spoken to the manager, I was excited for the plans and the way that he talked about it.

"So, to get back as soon as possible and to be as fit as possible for the opening game of the season was my aim, and to hit the ground running and be one of the best players in the league."

The Reds currently sit top of the Premier League, four points clear of second-place Chelsea, and eight points ahead of reigning champions City with a game in hand.

Arne Slot has made an almost seamless start to his tenure, with Liverpool losing just one of their games under him in all competitions so far – a 1-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest – while they have a perfect record in the Champions League, winning all six of their matches.

Liverpool are currently on an 18-match unbeaten streak in all competitions and are the favourites to lift the Premier League trophy, with an 82.4% chance of finishing first at the end of the season.

"This is where we want to be [at the top of the table]," Alexander-Arnold, who is in the final year of his contract, told Sky Sports.

"It is still early days, so we can't get too excited. But if you told us this at the start of the season, we'd have massive smiles on our faces.

"We're in a very, very good position, very strong position - more so in the league than the Champions League, because it then becomes knockout football and what you've done so far doesn't really matter.

"We just need to stay consistent over the next few months and put ourselves in the best position possible.

"I think we [can] win multiple trophies. I think that's the level that we're at, that's the level we've shown that we're capable of, beating the best teams in the world."

Liverpool picked up under Slot where they left off under Jurgen Klopp and have scored two or more goals in each of their last seven Premier League games, last having a longer such run between September and December 2021 (11 in a row).

The Reds have scored 76 goals in 33 games in 2024, their second-best average goals per game in a year (2.3) in the Premier League era, scoring at a rate of 2.38 goals per game in 2019 (88 in 37 games).

Slot's side comfortably beat Man City 2-0 in their last home Premier League game, following on from a 2-0 win over Madrid in the Champions League, and Alexander-Arnold believes that could be the turning point.

"I think that was just a statement week for the team, for the club. Probably they are our two biggest rivals in Europe and domestically over the last five or six years," he added.

"I guess we've struggled to overcome them as a team. So, to beat them both in the space of a few days was something that really sent a statement to everyone that we're a real team.

"And whether they wanted to believe it before that or they don't believe it still, it doesn't bother us. We know what level we are. What others want to think about us doesn't affect us.

"We know the quality we've got. We know what levels we can hit. We know we've still got a lot to improve, and we will, and we'll get better throughout the season, which I think is good for us and bad for anyone else."