Trent on Stevie, set-pieces and living the LFC dream

A year on from his senior debut for Liverpool, the No.66 can reflect on 12 months that, on a personal level, have simply got better and better.

In the time that has elapsed since that maiden outing against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, the defender has featured on 18 further occasions for the Reds and – with Nathaniel Clyne out injured – began this season in the right-back berth.

His first ever goal for the club was achieved in August and was no less than a stunning curler from a set-piece in the Champions League qualifier at Hoffenheim.

Alexander-Arnold found the net a second time in the same competition earlier this month, sending in the seventh strike of the night as Maribor were emphatically beaten in Group E.

So, have things come to feel ‘normal’ for the young Scouser? How does it feel to be a recognisable face when he walks through his hometown?

“You get a bit more used to it than when it first happens, but it’s never where you expect it,” he explained on Thursday’s episode of LFC Later.

“Getting recognised, you think ‘Wow, people actually know who I am!’ When you’re walking down the street and a car beeps or something, it’s still surreal. You check round to see if they’ve seen someone else – but then you realise it’s you! Every morning you wake up and you’re still living the dream.”

Alexander-Arnold took responsibility ahead of many well-established teammates when he whipped in that memorable free-kick against Hoffenheim.

Watch: Trent's free-kick v Hoffenheim from 14 angles

Since that evening, Philippe Coutinho – himself an ever more consistent threat from dead-ball situations – has returned to the XI of course.

But the 19-year-old would happily assume duties once again, if needed.

“It’s important to have a few set-piece takers in the team,” he said.

“A 25-yard free-kick is a chance to score; you’ve got to be ready to take that chance and on the night I was. Whether or not I get that chance again… I’ll try to take it like I did.”

Alexander-Arnold could not have a better role model to follow as he sets about writing his own story for Liverpool in the years to come.

“There’s only one for me: Steven Gerrard,” the England U21 international replied, when asked to name his idol in the game.

“Growing up and watching him week in, week out, to see him go out and do what he did on a weekly basis was just incredible. He could change games whenever he wanted. It was just everything to see him play. The one idol and person I looked up to the most was him.”

The two men passed by each other as they took the next steps in their respective careers.

While Alexander-Arnold was forcing his way into Jürgen Klopp’s plans towards the end of 2016, Gerrard returned to the club he represented with such distinction across 17 years, in the new position of Academy coach.

The Reds icon has since taken up the managerial reins of the Liverpool U18s team to pass on his knowledge to the crop of aspiring players now looking to people like Trent as inspiration.

And the latter admitted to a twinge of envy at the opportunity in their hands.

“It’s massive,” he said of having Gerrard on the staff in Kirkby.

“The players he is coaching saw him when he was playing. It’s not as if he’s coaching nine-year-olds who didn’t really see him play. We’re talking about players who saw him play and saw what he did on a football pitch, and know that the things he’s telling them, he’s done it and they have seen it happen.

“There’s not much you can do except absorb all the information he’s giving to you on a daily basis. I’m a little bit envious!”