Trent Alexander-Arnold is living out his boyhood dreams at Liverpool
It was 10 years ago when the now 18-year-old would stand outside Liverpool’s training ground looking trying to catch a glimpse of his hero Steven Gerrard as he dreamed of one day playing for the Reds himself.
That was achieved when he made his debut in the League Cup win over Tottenham last season. There were 11 further appearances in the campaign, and some notable performances.
Now, not only has the Scouser pulled on the red shirt, he also scored on his European debut with a fine free-kick in their 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in the first leg of their Champions League play-off on Tuesday.
“It is indescribable, special in so many different ways for me personally and I’ve definitely ticked the box off,” he said.
“At first I didn’t know it was going to go in but it was well placed. I thought it was a good free-kick and I was happy it went in.
It’s always good to get compliments from your idol [Gerrard] and I am hoping to live up to his words
Trent Alexander-Arnold
“I’ve been practising free-kicks but I didn’t think the senior players would let me take it. In the end they did and I stepped up and scored and did well for the team.”
Many coaches at Liverpool’s Kirkby academy have been excited to see how Alexander-Arnold, who grew up around the corner from their Melwood training ground, would fare in the first team.
Gerrard, who is now charged with moulding the next Red generation as Under-18s boss, cited the young defender in his autobiography in 2015 as one to watch, and earlier this year called him a “beauty”.
Gerrard continued to rave about the star man as a pundit for BT Sport on Tuesday night.
“It’s always good to get compliments from your idol and I am hoping to live up to his words,” said Alexander-Arnold, who one day wants to captain the Reds. “It is always good to have his backing and support.”
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Trent Alexander-Arnold looks up to Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard as an idol
He is the nephew of Manchester United’s club secretary John Alexander – but he was never going to go down the M62 to play for Liverpool’s rivals.
Not that they would have let him go – he has been highly thought of since he arrived at the club as a young child.
He followed his breakthrough last season by opting out of England’s Under-19s tournament because he wanted to impress Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, one of his biggest fans, in pre-season.
That paid off when Nathaniel Clyne was ruled out of the start of the season and Alexander-Arnold was prepared not only to fill the void but also offer the England international a serious challenge for his place on his return.
The FA, while disappointed he was not with the Under-19s as they claimed the European Championship trophy in Georgia this summer, will not hold it against him and understand his chosen path.
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His international career will not be hindered by the decision with a step-up to the Under-20s next before he undoubtedly graduates to the Under-21s and further.
Currently a right-back, he has the versatility to develop his game and play across the backline or even in midfield as he continues to climb the ladder for club and country.
“I don’t tend to think about it,” he said after Tuesday’s goalscoring performance. “I just try to go to Melwood every day and try to fight for my position for the weekend.
“You can’t take for granted you are going to play again and you have to try to keep your spot and that is what I am trying to go and do this week.”
Conceding a late goal has left the tie finely balanced for next week’s return leg at Anfield and Alexander-Arnold knows they will have to be wary of Germany opponents who play a similar high-tempo pressing game.
“It is a bit sickening we conceded so late on but we can’t let that affect us as we still have another 90 minutes to play at Anfield and we go there a goal up,” he added.
“We can’t take anything for granted because they are really good opposition and anything can happen especially in European games. We have to go with a game plan and look to finish it off and get into the group stages.”
