Mondays football briefing Trent trouble more Trent trouble United and Spurs struggle

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was booed by some of the Anfield crowd in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on Sunday – when the Gunners had fought back from 2-0 down and then held out with 10 men.

Europa League finalists Manchester United and Tottenham both suffered home defeats on their return to domestic action.

Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis found himself in the spotlight after storming onto the pitch to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo following a 2-2 draw against relegated Leicester.

Newcastle, though, moved a step closer to Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over 10-man Chelsea.

Monday sees the focus switch to the Sky Bet Championship play-offs, with Sheffield United hosting Bristol City in the second leg of their semi-final.

Arne Slot – no regrets over playing Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has no concerns about continuing to pick Trent Alexander-Arnold despite the defender being booed by his own fans in the 2-2 draw with Arsenal.

The right-back was targeted by a significant section of the Anfield crowd when he came on as a substitute after confirming on Monday he will not be extending his current deal with the newly-crowned Premier League champions when it expires this summer.

Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to join Real Madrid, was subjected to loud jeers as he was introduced as a 67th-minute substitute and that continued with most of his touches.

“The thing I consider is I want to win a game of football and if we think we can win with Trent, I owe it to his team-mates and to the fans, because they (Liverpool) hired me to win as many games of football as possible,” said Slot, whose side had gone 2-0 up through early goals from Cody Gakpo and Luis Diaz.

“And if I think there’s a better chance of winning with Trent, then I will (pick him).

“If I think it’s a distraction or whatever can happen for us not to play a good game of football, then I might make another decision.”

Mikel Arteta’s side – knocked out of the Champions League semi-finals by Paris St Germain – regrouped to pull a goal back in the 47th minute through Gabriel Martinelli.

The Gunners were back on level terms with 20 minutes left through a diving header from Mikel Merino – who was then sent off for a second caution.

Arsenal, though, held out after Andy Robertson’s stoppage-time header from a corner was chalked off for a foul.

More questions than answers for Ruben Amorim

Ruben Amorim cast doubt over his future should “brave” summer moves fail after Manchester United’s “embarrassed” head coach raged about a lack of urgency and big club mentality.

United returned to earth with a bump three days after reaching the Europa League final as fellow strugglers West Ham secured their first Premier League win at Old Trafford since 2007 with goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen.

“For me the biggest concern is that feeling that ‘it’s OK’, and ‘we cannot change our position so much so it’s OK’,” said the United boss, whose side have now lost 17 games and sit 16th.

“That is the biggest problem in our club in this moment because we are losing the feeling of we are a massive club and it’s the end of the world to lose a game at home. I think that is the biggest concern in our club.”

Spurs also suffer European hangover

Eberechi Eze struck twice for FA Cup finalists Crystal Palace either side of half-time as Tottenham slumped to a 2-0 home defeat after Thursday’s euphoric scenes in Norway.

Having set up a European final with Manchester United after they sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory over Bodo/Glimt, Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou saw his side – which contained eight changes – slip to a 20th league loss of the season.

Postecoglou admitted the “disappointing performance” was “nowhere near the level it should be.”

He added: “We made eight changes, but there is an opportunity there and you’ve just got to take it when presented to you and I’m disappointed more didn’t step forward today.”

Eddie Howe urges caution as Toon Army march on

Eddie Howe knows Newcastle took a huge stride towards Champions League qualification with a 2-0 win over Chelsea – but has told his players they can afford to take nothing for granted.

Newcastle have moved back into third place, and all but mathematically to within one win of a top-five finish, and head to Arsenal next weekend before hosting Everton on the final day.

“We still have two games to go and lots of twists and turns that could be around the corner,” the Newcastle boss said.

“We know how tight it is with the teams around us, so we’re not taking anything for granted.”

Forest set for European return as owner in the spotlight

Nottingham Forest secured European football next season but missed the chance to close up on the Champions League places after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegated Leicester – after which owner Evangelos Marinakis stormed onto the pitch to confront manager Nuno.

Marinakis was seen emotionally remonstrating with Nuno after Facundo Buonanotte’s 81st-minute equaliser inflicted a possibly terminal blow to Forest’s hopes of finishing in the top five.

Forest’s Greek owner later issued a statement insisting he is “proud” of Nuno and the team’s efforts this season – stressing his frustrations came because of a miscommunication between the bench and medical staff after an injury to striker Taiwo Awoniyi in the closing stages.

What’s on today?

Sheffield United will be out to book a trip to Wembley when Bristol City head to Bramall Lane for the second leg of their Championship play-off semi-final.

The Blades are comfortably ahead in the tie after a 3-0 win at Ashton Gate last week.

Published: 12/05/2025 by Radio NewsHub