LIVERPOOL full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold scored a SENSATIONAL screamer in the 3-1 win over Newcastle…with a little help from referee Mike Dean.
The England international was named the Premier League Player of the Month for November earlier this week – and he built on that momentum at Anfield on Thursday evening.
With Liverpool recovering from 1-0 down to lead 2-1, Alexander-Arnold stepped up to strike a 25-yard thunderbolt into the top corner to seal the three points.
And he insisted after the match that the goal has been a long time coming.
He said: “I’ve been waiting for that [type of goal] for five years.
“I’ve had a few ones from the edge of box and dragged them. I’ve caught that one sweet and it nestled in the top corner, a sweet strike and put the game to bed.”
Fans also picked up on the fact that referee Dean appeared to run across the ball and provide a dummy in the lead up to the goal.
Reacting to the hilarious move from the official, one fan said: “Great to see Mike Dean playing a dummy for Trent Alexander Arnold. Mr Dean sure has a soft spot for the top six sides.”
Another added: “Nice of Mike Dean to run a screen for Trent Alexander-Arnold there.”
A third said: “It will be all about Alexander-Arnold’s strike but Mike Dean’s dummy run deserves a mention.”
Alexander-Arnold also addressed the controversy surrounding Liverpool’s equalising goal.
Isaac Hayden was down holding his head inside the Newcastle penalty area when Diogo Jota lashed home Liverpool’s first half leveller.
But Alexander-Arnold does not feel the home side did anything wrong by failing to kick the ball out of play.
He added: “You’re not really looking at who’s on the ground, who’s up.
“But if it’s a head injury it’s down to the referee to stop it. He didn’t. We played to the whistle and scored. We didn’t cheat or do anything unsportsmanlike.”
Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah equalled Jamie Vardy’s record by scoring or assisting in a 15th consecutive Premier League game, netting the Reds’ second goal against Eddie Howe’s men.
And Alexander-Arnold is blown away by his Egyptian team-mate’s season so far.
He said: “It’s mad. He’s the best player in the world, it goes without saying.
“He’s doing everything game in, game out. He wants to break every record in the book. He wants to put his name in the history books.”
Liverpool now sit one point behind table toppers Manchester City and three ahead of Chelsea after Thomas Tuchel’s side drew 1-1 with Everton.
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Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s about making sure we’re consistent and winning every game we can.
“The games come thick and fast so any minor slip can prove costly come April or May.
“Until we’re told otherwise we’ll be in there every day [training] and making sure we’re fit for Sunday, a big game against Tottenham.”
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