Liverpool legend responds to Slot after 'sackable offence' in press conference

The Reds' boss responded to criticism of his decision to take off Trent Alexander-Arnold in last week's 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

The full-back salvaged a point with the equaliser at Villa Park but was replaced by Conor Bradley five minutes after his heroics.

Alexander-Arnold appeared disappointed at being hauled off with the Reds pushing for a winner, while Bradley was later substituted after picking up an injury.

Slot later confirmed that he replaced Alexander-Arnold to help manage the player's load following his recent return from injury.

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But it just so happened that Slot made the wise decision to tune into the world's biggest sport's radio station and caught wind of Lawrenson's sentiments.

Lawrenson previously said: "Slot has done a really good job but I can't believe he took Alexander-Arnold off. "He was starting to cut them to pieces down that side. I don't get that. You saw his face for the rest of the game and he was peeved.

"[Diogo] Jota is a top player and goalscorer, it is almost like they have done 70 minutes so they have to come off. I don't get that — they are super fit and have got three days before [Manchester] City.

"That is the only problem I have with Slot. Leave your best team on and win the game, and then take them off. I think it was a good point. Liverpool hasn't been beaten away from home."

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In response, Slot joked he had never heard of the former Liverpool defender who lifted the league title on five occasions and was part of the Reds' European Cup winning team of 1984.

The Dutchman told reporters: "When I was driving up, I was listening to talkSPORT and I don't know who he is, but I think his name was Mark Lawrenson or something.

"He simply couldn't understand that I took Trent off — which I understand from his perspective because he played so well and scored a goal.

"Jota and Trent have just come back from injury. And that is why they don't play 90 minutes, five times in a row in 15 days: that would be a big risk."

Lawrenson was invited back on air on Tuesday to address Slot's remarks of which Ally McCoist joked were a 'sackable offence'.

When McCoist requested the former Liverpool ace to take his medals with him the next time he goes to Anfield, Lawrenson brilliantly replied: "I can't because I haven't got a bag big enough."

In fairness to Slot, he was just two years old when Lawrenson made his first of 356 appearances for the Reds.

In addition to his league title and European triumphs, he went on to win the FA Cup once and League Cup on three occasions.

Lawrenson, now aged 67, played for the Republic of Ireland at international level, earning 39 caps.

He retired from football in 1992 before breaking into media where he most famously worked for the BBC on their flagship football shows Football Focus and Match of the Day.

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