On Sunday it was Trent Alexander-Arnold ’s turn to be thrust in the post-match spotlight.

Last week it was Mohamed Salah after his heroics at the London Stadium, while Virgil van Dijk has been at the center of the after-game debriefs on several occasions this season. In some ways it’s a problem Arne Slot could do without, but in another sense, the ongoing transfer saga surrounding his three out-of-contract stars is taking some of the pressure and attention off Liverpool’s title hopes.

But after a week in which Alexander-Arnold was the subject of a bid from Real Madrid, his name was always going to dominate the discussion on Sunday. That he put in such an abject display against Manchester United only compounded matters.

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In the furore that followed, Alexander-Arnold was publicly mocked by Tranmere Rovers, criticised by Roy Keane, slaughtered on several fronts by Jamie Carragher and had the merits of a move to Madrid poured over by Gary Neville.

Only the 26-year-old and his inner circle really know what’s going on in this long-running transfer saga, but it’s difficult to argue that his performance wasn’t adversely affected by the ever-increasing noise. That he has come under fire from Liverpool supporters since the news of Real’s bid emerged might just have reframed his thought process.

His previous three performances against West Ham United, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur were excellent, but against Ruben Amorim’s side something was clearly off. A lack of focus perhaps? A dent in his confidence or self-belief? Or maybe the gravity of the situation is starting to hit home for a boyhood red who could be set to relocate for the first time in his life?

Whatever the circumstances, it seems like a good time for Slot to take Alexander-Arnold out of the firing line. Thankfully, upcoming cup games against Tottenham Hotspur and Accrington Stanley may just afford the Liverpool boss that opportunity. The return of Conor Bradley is also well timed in that sense.

Should Slot wish to, there’s even the chance to give Alexander-Arnold a nine-day gap after the conclusion of the first half of a season in which he has played in 24 of Liverpool’s 28 games and made four 90-minute appearances for England.

Slot has used the cups as a chance to rotate - even the Champions League, to a certain extent - and the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Bradley, Jarell Quansah, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa are surely in line for a healthy dose of minutes in the coming week.

Slot will want his side to be as fresh as possible when it returns to Premier League action against high-flying Nottingham Forest next week. The title tilt remains the focus for Liverpool. That was made abundantly clear when the offer came from Real for Alexander-Arnold and whatever the long-term future holds for the England international, right now, Slot can’t afford for his levels to drop.

Only five players have registered higher numbers for expected assists this season in the Premier League, all while operated at right-back, while no Liverpool player has completed more long passes than Alexander-Arnold.

One poor display will be quickly forgotten, but Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold can’t afford many more repeats of Sunday’s horror show.