Arne Slot sends parting message to Trent Alexander-Arnold after miserable Liverpool return

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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-Arnold faced a torrid time on his return to Liverpool in a Champions League clash with Real Madrid and he was given a hug by Arne Slot afterwardsArne Slot branded Trent Alexander-Arnold a "special human being" following an embrace with the former Liverpool star after his difficult homecoming at Anfield.Alexander-Arnold faced a chorus of boos when he entered as a late substitute for Real Madrid, with home fans jeering his every involvement. This prompted Slot to console the 27-year-old Scouser with an embrace at full-time.The Liverpool boss explained: "He (Alexander-Arnold) lost so that is tough.

I said something like 'keep going' to him. I honestly didn't know exactly what I said to him.

So, for me to give him a hug is something I will do every single time I see him."However, Slot was equally eager to praise Conor Bradley, Alexander-Arnold's replacement at right-back, reports the Mirror.Slot explained: "I told the players that Real Madrid had scored 26 goals in La Liga and between them, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior have had 24 goal contributions. So, I said, if you want any chance of winning, you have to defend well against those two ... and Conor Bradley did just that."Liverpool now sit level with Real Madrid in the Champions League table having collected nine points from their opening four fixtures.The result left Liverpool's skipper thoroughly pleased.Virgil van Dijk - positioned alongside Wayne Rooney, who recently criticised the Dutchman for lacking sufficient leadership qualities - appeared to take aim at the pundit whilst praising his side's display.The Liverpool captain said: "Ex-players that played at the highest level had difficult moments as well.