Trent Alexander-Arnold says former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota "was there with me" after helping Real Madrid reach the Club World Cup semi-finals.

Alexander-Arnold and Jota spent five years together at Liverpool before the England full-back left for Madrid in June.

Jota, aged 28, died in a car crash on Thursday along with his 25-year-old brother Andre Silva. Their joint funeral was held on Saturday in Portugal.

Alexander-Arnold has been featuring for Real Madrid at the Club World Cup in the United States and assisted Fran Garcia's goal in their 3-2 win against Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final in New Jersey.

He said the news of Jota's death had been "extremely difficult" to take in.

"I had to try to perform for the team and help them win the game, no matter how difficult it was," Alexander-Arnold told DAZN after the game.

"As hard as it was to do it, I had to push myself to focus on what my job and role was. I tried to do it as best as I could, but it was difficult and I am not going to lie about that.

"[Jota] was one of my close friends - and I am sure that's what he would have wanted me to do. I'm sure we would have had a laugh and joke about the assist as well. He was there with me, I am sure."