Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold discusses Newcastle goal controversy
Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold has hit back at suggestions that the Reds 'cheated' after their controversial first goal set up a 3-1 win over Premier League strugglers Newcastle on Thursday night.
The Magpies took a shock lead at Anfield through ex-Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey's first half screamer.
But their joy was short-lived, with Diogo Jota bundling home an equaliser just 14 minutes later. Mohamed Salah made it 2-1 shortly afterward before Alexander-Arnold wrapped up the points with a late thunderbolt.
However, Jota's goal left Newcastle players and staff incensed – with play seeming to go on Isaac Hayden while he was down with a head injury.
But Alexander-Arnold rubbished claims that Liverpool cheated and insisted that it was down to the referee to stop the game if necessary.
“When the game is going on like that in their box you’re not really looking round at who’s on the ground, who’s up, you can’t, you’re looking for your teammates trying to score,” said the full-back.
“Your eyes aren’t focused on the ground but if it’s head injuries it’s up to the referee to stop it he didn’t and we played on until the whistle and scored and that’s all you can do.
“We haven’t cheated or done anything unsportsman-like, we’ve played to the whistle and scored from it.”
What did you make of Liverpool's performance in the 3-1 win over Newcastle? Let us know in the comments section.
Mike Dean ignored protests from Newcastle players after the goal, while Eddie Howe was left seething on the touchline.
Liverpool's fightback propelled them to within a point of Premier League leaders Manchester City, who smashed seven goals past Leeds on Tuesday.
It also nudged them three points ahead of third-placed Chelsea – who were held by a patched-up Everton side in a shock result at Stamford Bridge.
It capped the perfect night for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who hailed his team's fightback after the match.
“I didn't expect Chelsea would drop points, it is pretty rare I don't know five or six players of the Everton line up so to get a point at Chelsea is massive,” the German said.
“We did not think about it, we just said do our job on the pitch, it is pretty similar to the last game of Eddie Howe here with Bournemouth – similar set-up, tactics, we go 1-0 down again, we used that game more than Newcastle games.
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“You have to react, I am really pleased but I expect it as well, it is not that we celebrate we came back.
“We used that time with hard work, not only brilliant football, some good football, very dominant, it is not so easy to play against such a deep block.
“We have already a few games in our legs, I love how the boys dug in really deep and got a very deserved result.”
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