Jurgen Klopp’s decision to add the 18-year-old at the time to his first-team squad at the beginning of the 2017-18 season saw quite a few people scratch their head in bewilderment.
With his main rivals investing big in boosting their squad to cover the first-team deficits, the German genius opted to go for the Liverpool academy project and a local boy Trent Alexander-Arnold as a replacement for the injury-hit Nathaniel Clyne who’s been Klopp’s first-choice solution at right-back during the last campaign.
Month later and a fledgeling 19-year-old is standing as one of the breakthrough stars of the ongoing Premier League season. His excellent performances for Liverpool have caught plenty of eyes this term, while he also excelled at the international level as well.
His sublime free-kick goal on his European debut against Hoffenheim in Germany saw him take the European continent by storm – going from strength to strength ever since.
A player who joined Liverpool as a six-year-old back in 2004 after his school got an invitation to a training camp and Melwood is a true Hollywood hero, whose story is a blockbuster material.
Child of Chance
The beginning of his Liverpool journey is a product of pure chance.
Trent Alexander-Arnold confessed in an interview with FourFourTwo that with loads of kids wanting to go to Melwood and only a couple of slots available, his teachers drew the names out of a hat.
“Fortunately, my name was pulled out. I went along, played with a smile on my face as I always did, and a scout went over to my mum at the end of the session and asked her to bring me to the academy two or three times a week.”, the Liverpool starlet told of his Liverpool beginnings.
The rest is history as the defender flew through the youth ranks at Anfield, earning the England international status along the way and representing his country from Under-16 through to Under-21 level.
Now a standard first-team member enjoying full confidence from his boss Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool right-back clocked up 26 appearances in all competitions this season.
He was one of the most notable players in Liverpool team on Wednesday night when Reds blitzed past Manchester City with a comfortable and tangible 3-0 victory in the first leg of their Champions League tie.
A Graduation Night
It ended up being ‘one of those big European nights’ both for the club and Trent Alexander-Arnold himself, who put in arguably his best display this season.
He showed aggression – control anger as he used to call it himself – and the hunger to win. Brought up as a Scouser, the England youth international claims his local mentality plays a great part in the way he plays for Liverpool.
“There is a Scouse mentality. It’s an aggressive way of playing. It’s the hunger to win, you’re brought up to win as a Scouser – you want to win everything.”, he told the club website earlier during the campaign.
Liverpool right-back put on a gigantic performance against the high-flying Manchester City – most specifically against the hot-shot Leroy Sane – the in-form German whose appearance was severely limited due to the tireless running and constant aggression on his from Alexander Arnold.
A Look back at his appearance against Manchester City speaks volumes of his importance and contribution towards the final score.
Numbers Don’t Lie
Trent Alexander-Arnold made the total of 77 touches against the Citizens. Ten clearances, eight duels won, seven interceptions and four tackles won are all the makings of a huge game for a young lad who passed his European graduation with flying colours.
The passion he displayed in pushing his teammates forward is another important aspect of his game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is widely expected to be in the team for the rematch at Etihad, aiming to help Reds go through off the back of a compelling 3-0 win.
Liverpool are given 2/19 betting odds to qualify for the next round of the competition, even though a great deal of the general public claims Manchester City cannot be ruled out just yet.
Can Trent Alexander-Arnold inspire Liverpool to another memorable European night?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
