Trent Alexander-Arnold
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Age: 18
Nationality: England
Position: Right-back/Central midfield
Trent has been with the Liverpool academy since he was six. The youngster has represented the club at various levels. He is a versatile player capable of playing in midfield or as a right-back and it is believed that he will establish himself in the first team in the latter role. Arnold is quick, strong and has an eye for a pass and these are excellent traits for a full back. He is blessed with tremendous energy and can drive the team forward. He was the captain of Liverpool’s U-16 side which also shows his leadership skills.
The youngster first featured for the first team in a preseason friendly against Swindon Town back in 2014-15 when he was just 16 years old. Liverpool’s only right-back in the first team is Nathaniel Clyne and considering Arnold’s form with the U-23 side, it was only a matter of time before he played for the first team. He made his first team debut as a starter in a 2-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a League Cup match and was included in the EFL Cup team of the round along with his teammate Daniel Sturridge.
In the next round of the competition, he started against Leeds and interestingly, when Liverpool played Leeds in the same competition back in 2009, Alexander-Arnold was the mascot alongside Jamie Carragher. He marked the occasion by providing a brilliant assist for Origi’s goal which finally broke the deadlock and he was also named the Man of the Match.
He made his Premier League debut in January 2017 as a starter against Liverpool’s arch-rivals, Manchester United, at Old Trafford due to an injury to Nathaniel Clyne. The teenager was unperturbed by the magnitude of the occasion and did very well to keep the dangerous Anthony Martial at bay throughout the game. He was also named Liverpool’s young player of the season for 2016/17 and it was a fitting reward for his breakthrough season.
Trent has clearly impressed Jurgen Klopp this season and is now a regular member of the matchday squads and is often given opportunities of the bench. His words from an interview after breaking through to the first team is one that should delight the Liverpool fans.
“I’ve achieved my goals, but not my dream yet. The dream is to captain Liverpool. There will be goals to achieve along the way, but until I captain Liverpool I will not be satisfied.” – Trent Alxeander-Arnold
