On his assist for Gakpo’s opening goal…
Delighted. I think I’ve put a few of those balls in this season and they’ve not been quite converted. Obviously a lot has been said, maybe [I’ve] not been as creative and things like that. I think I’ve created quite a few chances and you need a bit of luck for people to finish them. I’m delighted to get that one. It feels as if I’ve been sat on 59 [assists] for ages so I’m glad to get into the 60s. Hopefully I can get a couple more. I love creating and I love trying to get assists and it’s not quite worked out this season. I’m delighted to get one today.
On Trent Alexander-Arnold approaching him at half-time after his assist…
We’ve always had that. We’ve always been delighted for each other with assists and contributing. It’s been a huge part of our game for the eight years we’ve played together. When he came up at half-time I could see his big smile. We’ve always had that laugh and a joke with each other. It was nice for him to come up to me for once!
On the reception Alexander-Arnold had from supporters…
Obviously there’s a lot of emotion around it. I think it’s crucial in these moments that I don’t tell you how to feel and you don’t tell me how to feel about it. All I can tell you is how I feel about it. First of all, I’m disappointed to lose my best mate. In the game we have done it all together. He’s an amazing player and an amazing person. He’s made me a better player and that’s from the bottom of my heart. He’s taken me to levels I never knew existed, he kept pushing me through the good years. And he’s made a choice.
I think his legacy at this club is there for everyone to see. The trophies he’s won and the moments he’s had in history will always be there. It is, of course, an emotional decision. It’s not been an easy one, of course it hasn’t, but he’s made the decision. It’s not nice to see a friend get booed and it wasn’t nice but, like I said, we can’t tell people how to act. I can tell you how I feel about it. I’m extremely proud of him for what he’s done for this club. I love him as a friend and I love him as a player and he’ll be missed for me as one of my best friends in the game. That’s how I feel about it and I’m not going to tell anyone else how to feel about it.
