Liverpool breezed past the Bees 2-0 after goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah — but fans quickly noticed Alexander-Arnold’s gloomy expression when he was taken off midway through the second half.
Slot, though, says he understands why players get upset if they do not manage 90 minutes. ‘He didn’t look that happy after being taken off,’ said the Dutch head coach after his Anfield bow.
‘I understand. Every player wants to play 90 minutes. I don’t think the players that were on the bench from the start were really happy with the choice I made.
‘But Trent came back from the national team where in the beginning of the tournament he played quite a lot then he didn’t. Had a few weeks off, came back, this is only his third game.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admitted he understands Trent Alexander-Arnold's frustration
‘We have to take care of him because we need him for the whole season and not just the first two games.
'But what is good for me is that I have a very good backup as well with Conor (Bradley). So we are taking care of Trent. But he played a good game.’
Meanwhile, Reds midfielder Curtis Jones missed the match with a minor muscle tweak and is now up against it to be fit for next Sunday’s trip to Manchester United.
The Scouser was also tipped to make Lee Carsley’s first England squad and his fitness worries now put this in doubt.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank said he will be delighted when the transfer window is over to stop speculation over star striker Ivan Toney’s future.
The English forward was left out of the Brentford squad for the second successive week.
Frank was asked if Toney was getting any closer to a move — with Saudi Arabia a mooted destination — and replied: ‘I don’t know. I haven’t asked Phil (Giles, transfer guru) the last two or three days. He trained well, good attitude.
‘I am always happy when the window is shut and then we don’t have to talk about ifs and buts and maybes.’