Trent Alexander-Arnold admitted it 'burns' to see Manchester United winning trophies again – as he revealed he turned off his TV when they were about to lift the Carabao Cup.
Liverpool and United meet in the Premier League this afternoon (Sunday, 4.30pm GMT kick off), with the sides experiencing very different fortunes this season – especially in contrast to recent years.
Alexander-Arnold admitted United are 'flying' under Erik ten Hag – something he's been surprised to see – while Liverpool have struggled for consistency. Liverpool finished 34 points above United in the 2021/22 league table.
Yet Jurgen Klopp's side now go into today's Anfield encounter some 10 points behind United in the league and for Liverpool born-and-bred Alexander-Arnold, it's been hard to watch Ten Hag work such wonders at Old Trafford.
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Speaking to The Telegraph about last week's Carabao Cup final win over Newcastle he said, "I watched the game, but as soon as they were getting ready for the trophy lift I turned off.
"I thought, ‘There is no way I am watching that’. Knowing they lifted that trophy? It burns. Oh yeah. It definitely burns.
"It shows you how football changes very quickly. Look at Arsenal. At the end of last season, everyone was talking about failure for not making the top four. All of a sudden they are leading in the title race.
"In football terms, these changes really do happen overnight. It’s the same with Manchester United when you look at the difference now to last year.
"Even the start of this season when they lost to Brentford. How many people were saying ‘here we go again?’ Now they’re flying. It happens."
And Alexander-Arnold is using the improved fortunes of United and Arsenal to keep him grounded amid Liverpool's patchy form this season. Just like their rivals, he's convinced the Anfield club can get back to their best soon.
He added: "That is why I am not going to allow myself to get over consumed with what has happened to us right now because I know in a few months, or possibly even weeks, it will change.
"I am determined to keep level-headed and balanced about what has gone on."
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Topics: Liverpool, Manchester United, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Football
Dominic Booth