Alexander-Arnold says Man City’s European failure is as a sign of Liverpool’s strength

Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold believes Manchester City’s failure to win the Champions League shows the strength of Jurgen Klopp’s side.

Despite their recent Premier League dominance, big-spending City have struggled on the European stage. They came closest to continental glory last season when they were beaten in the final by Chelsea.

Liverpool, on the other hand, won the European Cup in 2018-19 before following it up with Premier League success in 2019-20.

Despite their Premier League dominance, City have failed to win the Champions League

Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s last-16 clash with Inter Milan, Alexander-Arnold said it was a strength of his side that they have been able to compete on both fronts. 

The right back, who has provided 16 assists in all competitions this season, also demanded the Reds continue picking up consistent silverware.

He said: ‘We don’t feel disappointed we haven’t won enough trophies because we feel the trophies we have won are the biggest and the best you can get your hands on.

‘Obviously not making any digs but you look at Man City’s amazing team and they haven’t been able to lift the Champions League.

‘They have won a couple of Prems but they have not been able to win the Champions League and we have won both in the last few years.

Liverpool have won both the Premier League and Champions League since 2018=19

‘There is an expectation now as a team, as players, to win trophies. I think one trophy a season is the minimum we need to be achieving.

‘Next week (in the Carabao Cup final) we have the opportunity to go grab that but with the squad we have got, the manager, we should be winning trophies, we expect that of ourselves and if we don’t it is a massive disappointment.

‘We are not in that phase now where we are happy just to get to finals and it is a little bit of a surprise and a day out.’

Liverpool are nine points behind City in the Premier League title race but do have one game in hand over Pep Guardiola’s side.

The Reds are also in the Carabao Cup final – against Chelsea on February 27 – and host Norwich in the fifth round of the FA Cup.

Alexander-Arnold thinks Liverpool can compete on four fronts with the squad now at Anfield

It means there is still a genuine possibility of Liverpool winning the quadruple and Alexander-Arnold believes the squad that has been assembled at Anfield can get them over the line.

He added: ‘Definitely on all four fronts it makes it easier having so many great players in the team.

Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool can pick up the first domestic trophy of the season in the Carabao Cup final next Sunday

‘But the seasons when we won the Champions League and almost won the league we showed people we can compete on multiple fronts.

‘To be in all four fronts is good for us. Our focus is on making sure we are still in all four competitions for as long as we can go.

‘Looking at it now there is only the league that is not really in our hands, all the other cup competitions we are in we believe we can win them or beat everyone on our day if we get it right.

‘So the only one is the league – and anything can happen there. It is important for us to keep winning games.

‘I don’t think nine points gap is much pressure but we need to keep as much pressure on as we can, make sure we win the game in hand and take it to six.

‘There is not much in our hands but anything can happen in this league so make sure we are in a position to pounce if they slip.

‘The other three competitions we believe we are able to win them.’