Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk believes Trent Alexander-Arnold deserves respect from fans for his service to the club over the past nine years.

Alexander-Arnold has been sensational for the Reds since graduating from their academy in 2016, and was integral to Jurgen Klopp's success at Anfield.

The full-back marked his return from injury with the winner against Leicester City on Sunday, putting Liverpool on the brink of claiming the Premier League title.

Alexander-Arnold has been criticised by some fans amid speculation that he may leave in the summer to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

Van Dijk, who last week signed a new deal at Liverpool, conceded that the situation had to be resolved, but asked fans to show love to Alexander-Arnold.

He said: "Whatever may happen in the future for him, that's something that he has to resolve with himself and the family, but he's a Liverpool player at this point and he's important for our team.

"He has been important throughout the whole season and today again he came back from the injury, a long one, and that's what I'm happy about.

"Since I joined the club, he has been a fantastic player and there's a lot of good things that he will always be remembered for if he decides to leave."

Alexander-Arnold has 64 assists in the Premier League, which is five more than any defender in the competition's history, with team-mate Andrew Robertson in second on 59.

The England international trails only Leighton Baines (85) for goal contributions among defenders in the history of the Premier League. Alexander-Arnold is on 82.

He became the first defender to come on from the bench and score a winning goal for Liverpool since Martin Skrtel in 2011, and Van Dijk commended Alexander-Arnold for stepping up once again when his team needed him.

The Dutchman said: "When he scores a big goal like that, I think he deserves applause for stepping up in that particular moment and to soak it all in because whether he stays or leaves, these are moments which you shouldn't take for granted to give us as a team the opportunity on Sunday to finish it off.

"I think he deserved that moment and now it's back to work and be ready for the weekend."

Alexander-Arnold's goal against Leicester was his first with his left foot. The previous 22 goals in his career had been from his favoured right.

Liverpool can seal the title with victory at home to Tottenham next Sunday, or even earlier, should Arsenal lose to Crystal Palace in midweek.