Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed what Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has told him throughout his remarkable rise to stardom.
Alexander-Arnold, the 20-year-old full-back, is due to make his 51st Premier League appearance this afternoon when title-chasing Liverpool host Chelsea at Anfield.
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Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the best young players in European football
The youngster’s half-century, which came in last week’s defeat of Southampton, marked the rapid and remarkable rise of a player who has excelled under Klopp’s tutelage.
Plucked out the academy by the German, Alexander-Arnold was treated to the odd match here and there during the 2016/17 season, before establishing himself as the Reds’ first-choice right-back the following campaign.
He has earned international recognition and even made it into England’s World Cup squad last summer amid much public clamour for Gareth Southgate to reward the youngster.
The Liverpool native is 33 games shy of his century in all competitions, and he revealed to The Times what Klopp has told him throughout his early career.
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“To be confident on the pitch,” Alexander-Arnold said of Klopp’s message. “To go out there and feel I’m valued within the squad.
“Probably not to think of myself as that young player still coming through. My mentality is someone still trying to work hard and progress to be that first name on the team sheet.”
A midfielder in his youth, Alexander-Arnold started moving back into defence aged 17.
Knowing how hard it was going to be to break into Liverpool’s first-team, he began working on his deliveries and set-piece ability to give him the best chance of impressing Klopp enough to be selected.
He continued: “I thought what gives players a better chance of breaking in and usefulness towards the manager? Set-pieces.
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Alexander-Arnold famously scored a free-kick on his European debut, against Hoffenheim in 2017
“So you practice the run-up, thought process, everything down to the breathing.
“And what do full-backs do now? Get forward and cross.
“So it was about learning the different types of crosses: the deeper cross, the cut back, the lofted one and just the firm whip. How to put the ball in dangerous areas or hit targets.”
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