Just how realistic is a Trent Alexander-Arnold captaincy?

Admiration for Trent Alexander-Arnold grows by the day and some are tipping him as a future Liverpool captain, so what stands in the way of that?

Since further enhancing his reputation around the club with a consistent season-long performance as a Premier League starter, 20-year-old home-grown talent has been lauded throughout the wider football community.

The West Derby native etched his name deeply into Anfield folklore during the unforgettable Champions League home win over Barcelona, due to his sound defensive effort and ability to see the game in a way that most players within his age bracket would struggle to.

There were moments that encapsulated this on the aforementioned magical night, when the seemingly unflappable right back avoided the searing temptation to cross the ball, before cunningly winning the team a corner and subsequently taking one of the most audacious set plays in the club’s history.

https://twitter.com/GaryLineker/status/1126778284031610885?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Pushing a team over the edge like that is what leaders do – they set an example for their team and take control of the situation. His local origin, his passion for the club and his obvious wherewithal to think uniquely have prompted fans and high-profile media members to tip him to become Liverpool captain at one point of his currently embryonic playing career.

If this were to happen, there would be a few things in between him and the armband he’d surely be elated to sport.

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Until recent performances, filled with heroic moments from both players, the general assumption among fans has been that Jordan Henderson would inevitably be handing over his armband in the summer to defensive behemoth Virgil Van Dijk. T

The Dutchman is the league’s player of the year and has served as the team’s rock, notably during periods in which Henderson has actually struggled to break into the midfield’s core – such is the strength of Klopp’s options in that area of the park.

However, on the big occasions in the last two years, Henderson has shown himself to be a natural leader, playing through pain, providing energy all over the pitch and showing a willingness to sacrifice for his teammates when it matters. Stripping him of the captaincy would seem almost crushingly cruel at this point.

Beyond the assumed transition of the captaincy, some would even argue that Alexander-Arnold isn’t the most logical full-back at the club for the role. Andrew Robertson has garnered experience with an armband – albeit with mixed results – as he became captain of the Scottish national team at the mere age of 24.

Robertson has served as a similarly crucial lifeline for Liverpool throughout the season and together with van Dijk and Trent, they have combined for 37 goals from assists from the back this season.

For the first time in the history of the Premier League, two defenders have provided 10+ assists in the same season and they are both Reds – another statistic that renders this season an unbelievable achievement and those players evidently capable of leading by example.

Alexander-Arnold’s light is burning blindingly bright at this stage of and although captaincy will likely be much further down down the line, it’ll be fascinating to see his ability to command the group develop. We’ll be watching, Trent.