Although Trent Alexander-Arnold acknowledged that he purposefully celebrated his goal against Manchester City over the weekend in front of furious home fans, he will not be subject to any retroactive discipline from the Football Association.
In the 80th minute, the 25-year-old vice captain of Liverpool scored from close range to negate Erling Haaland’s 50th Premier League goal for the winners and give the Reds a share of the victory at the Etihad Stadium. He jogged back to continue the game after celebrating the goal by putting his finger to his lips in front of the home crowd.
After the game, Alexander-Arnold acknowledged that he appreciated the response from the City supporters, who would later attack him on social media. “It’s always nice to celebrate in front of away fans,” he remarked. The amusement factor of all the faces is great.
Although players are typically booked for inciting the ire of the opposing fan base, referee Chris Kavanagh did not book Alexander-Arnold that day, and as a result, he might not have mentioned it in his report following the game.
A player “must be cautioned” for “gesturing or acting in a provocative, derisory or inflammatory way,” according to IFAB Law 12.
With his spectacular late intervention, Alexander-Arnold saved the day for Liverpool, although he had a rough afternoon against Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku, who was playing at his brilliant best. Alexander-Arnold was likewise prevented by the champs from advancing into midfield.
In front of Manchester City supporters, Trent Alexander-Arnold put his finger to his lips to celebrate his goal over the weekend.
The beloved Anfield player continued, “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.” He has been adjusting to a new hybrid role that allows him to drift in-field this season. There was a lot of man-marking because I was near to Bernardo Silva.
“The goal was to obtain the ball in various ways, pass it across a wider range, and get as much contact with it as you could.” The game was more about getting around the side rather than truly breaking through the middle.
Due to the tie, Liverpool is now three points behind league leaders Arsenal and one point behind second-place Manchester City in the standings.