TRENT Alexander-Arnold’s admission that he deliberately celebrated his Etihad equaliser in front of Manchester City fans could land the Liverpool ace in hot water.
Alexander-Arnold’s late strike stole a point for Jurgen Klopp’s men.
But while the Liverpool fans were congregated at the same end of the Etihad, to the left of the goal, Alexander-Arnold opted to run to the nearest corner to mark his moment.
He spread his arms wide as he ran to the goalline before standing in front of the home supporters and putting his fingers to his lips.
In his post-match interviews, Alexander-Arnold conceded it had been a deliberate act.
He said: “It’s always good to celebrate in front of away fans. Seeing all of the faces is really funny.”
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But the celebration brought a social media backlash from City fans, who accused the England star of deliberately taunting them.
Law 12 states that a player “must be cautioned” for “gesturing or acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way”.
Referee Chris Kavanagh opted to take no action and it is unknown if he made any mention of the celebration in his official match report.
If he did, then FA disciplinary beaks may intervene, although it is more likely that Alexander-Arnold would be warned about his future conduct more than any other action.
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Alexander-Arnold believed that City had a “game plan” to counter him.
He told Sky Sports: “I think there was potentially a game plan to stop me from getting the ball in midfield, at least that’s what it felt like, especially in the first half.
“A lot of man-marking – Bernardo was really close to me.
“It was about trying to get the ball in different ways, trying to pass the ball wider, get on the ball as much as possible.
“It was not really a game for penetration through the middle, it was more round the side.”
He also suggested the Reds gave City too much respect – and space – before the break.
He said: “I don’t think we played particularly well, first half particularly.
“The formation and the way they set up really challenged us. They have a lot of bodies in there, difficult to play against.
“But we regrouped at half-time and came out with a bit more of a game plan and to press them.
“In the second half we definitely put that respect to one side and thought, ‘let’s go for it’.”
The Liverpool star also donned some unseen Adidas Predator boots as he has now switched sponsors.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
