NewsTrent Alexander-Arnold on Liverpool's belief and the 'artistry' of passing

Tuesday evening’s Champions League victory at Girona made it 19 wins from 22 games in all competitions since Arne Slot was appointed head coach.

It means the Reds lead the way in both the Premier League and Europe, flourishing under the guidance of Slot and his backroom team as each positive outcome is secured.

Asked what is ‘different’ this term, Alexander-Arnold said: “We’re just so kind of assured that we’re going to get results in games because we believe so much in [the] game plan.

“It’s always important, especially under a new manager, to have a relationship that works both ways, which is what we’ve got. He needs to believe in us that we’re good enough to carry out the game plans and go and get the results and understand and apply what he tells us to do.

“Likewise, us as players, we need to see that the style of play and the tactics and the game plans are working and will get us results.

“I think from the first few games we really got that and then from then on, when you’ve got that belief flowing both ways it’s always going to be a good journey.”

By setting up two goals for Mohamed Salah in the 3-3 draw with Newcastle United earlier this month, Alexander-Arnold moved past 60 Premier League assists.

No defender has ever tallied more in the division than the Scouser’s 61 to date.

Alexander-Arnold was asked to describe the part of his role on the pitch that he most enjoys, and replied: “For me, it’s always been passing. I’ve always admired it, from a very young age.

“I was fortunate enough to grow up in an era where the passers of the ball were incredible, so I was able to grow up watching [Steven] Gerrard, [Xabi] Alonso, [David] Beckham, [Andrea] Pirlo, the Spanish legends as well within that.

“I was very, very fortunate to grow up witnessing that. So I think from a young age I just always admired it; I thought it was a real art and a skill, and an artistry to it. Everything that goes into it – the weight of pass, the technique that you use, the speed of your pass.

“Every pass should be delivered as a message without having to talk. I think the person who receives the ball should know just from how the ball is played to you what the situation is for you – whether you can turn, whether you have to play it back, whether it’s in space. They should understand what your thinking was through the pass.”

He continued: “You understand your players, what they like and what they don’t like and what gives them the best chance to score or put them in a position where they can attack the defender.

“Mo can receive any ball, to be honest, but we have a connection where [I play it] over the top or he’s a runner, he likes to get in behind and then be isolated one-v-one. Whichever way I pass the ball, he knows what to do and what I mean by the pass.

“You’ve just got to understand your players and understand what they appreciate and what they don’t really.”