TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD reckons Manchester City had a game plan to foil him – only for the Liverpool right-back to rescue a late point.

TAA even reckons Etihad playmaker Bernardo Silva was man-marking him as the second-placed Reds nicked a 1-1 draw at the Prem leaders.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates his 80th-minute equaliser

Alexander-Arnold had a major challenge combating Etihad flier Jeremy Doku and also feels Man City had special tactics to block him

The England star had a tough enough time at the other end trying to tame City’s new wing sensation Jeremy Doku.

But he got forward to cancel out Erling Haaland’s first-half opener with a classy low drive on 80 minutes.

Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports: “I think there was potentially a game plan to stop me from getting the ball in midfield, at least that’s what it felt like, especially in the first half.

“A lot of man-marking – Bernardo was really close to me.”

The 25-year-old, who has revived his Three Lions’ career with new roles in midfield, then explained how Liverpool countered City’s tactics.

He said: “It was about trying to get the ball in different ways, trying to pass the ball wider, get on the ball as much as possible.

“It was not really a game for penetration through the middle, it was more round the side.”

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Alexander-Arnold also suggested the Reds gave City too much respect – and space – before the break.

He said: “I don’t think we played particularly well, first half particularly.

“The formation and the way they set up really challenged us. They have a lot of bodies in there, difficult to play against.

“But we regrouped at half-time and came out with a bit more of a game plan and to press them.

“In the second half we definitely put that respect to one side and thought, ‘let’s go for it’.”

And he was satisfied in the end, saying: “We haven’t had too many good results here – a point is a good result.”

Alexander-Arnold fires his leveller in the top-two clash 

After scoring the equalizer for Liverpool, instead of running to where the Kop fans were, the defender born in 1998 ran to Man City fans and performed a ‘shush’ celebration.

Angry Man City fans retaliated by pointing and shouting at the 25-year-old defender. Alexander-Arnold responded by smiling slightly to provoke the home team fans.

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Alexander-Arnold had a “funny” celebration in his post-match interview with Sky Sports. I said:

“I received the ball from Nunez. I tried to send it towards the goal. Luckily it found the bottom corner and that was the goal we needed.”

“It’s good to celebrate in front of the Man City fans, you can see the different expressions and it’s funny.”