Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is a weapon.
There was a photo floating around on social media last week that showed Jamie Carragher in the tunnel before his final match as a Liverpool player. The young lad standing by him that day as his escort onto the pitch was Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Trent is a Scouser. It was his lifelong dream to play at Anfield, which is near his boyhood home. This reminds me so much of the story of another local lad making good at the club, which he idolized from his childhood.
Steven Gerrard also became a legend at Liverpool on the wings of this same dream, a dream that possessed Alexander-Arnold from the time he could walk and kick a ball.
He is widely regarded as the best attacking full-back in the world. He is bless with quality, skill and technique, which he uses as a weapon.
Whether it’s his long range pinpoint passing, devastatingly delicious crosses, thundering set piece deliveries or corner kicks, Alexander-Arnold will find a way to hurt oppositions.
No one will ever forget the astoundingly cheeky corner to Divok Origi to put Barcalona to the sword at Anfield in May 2019. It’ll probably to go down in history as the most impressive quick corner ever taken – the importance of which cannot be overstated.
Alexander-Arnold has had a phenomenal meteoric rise to the top of the Premier League, Europe, and the world. He is the envy of every other club, rival managers in England and on the continent.
He began his first team Liverpool career at 18, in 2016, and would see back to back Champions League finals before his 21st birthday.
His record setting assists at full-back in two consecutive seasons have changed the way we think of how this position can be integrated into a high octane energy driven offense.
Along with his mate on the left side, Andrew Robertson, the duo have gone through the league like reapers with a scythe.
There are surely more such fireworks to come. Alexander-Arnold has also impressed with his free kick prowess in front of goal, especially for someone so young.
He has nerves of steel and ice in his veins as he stands over the ball before striking into the net; too frequently now to be chalked up to beginners luck.
If you aren’t willing to give everything to the effort, you don’t get to wear a Liverpool jersey under the demanding German. Trent has fermented quite miraculously under the gaffer’s watchful eye.
Alexander-Arnold has not only excelled, he has exceeded every expectation and then some. Should he remain healthy, and continue in his development – isn’t that crazy? Talking about development for a player already at the pinnacle of the game at his position – the records he can set for the Reds are indeed mouthwatering to consider.
The only area he needs improvement is in the defensive third, where his youth and exuberance sometimes see him caught out by older, wiser, craftier players. With time this too will be another box ticked in his already burgeoning skillset.
I actually see Trent moving into a midfield role somewhere in his future, not unlike Joshua Kimmich at Bayern. He too established himself on the world stage as a full-back.
Because of his attacking skills, his incredible vision and passing ability both long and short range, Trent is an ideal talent to be employed in a midfield role in Liverpool’s not too distant future. This could be determined and realized by the continued development of young Neco Williams.
Because of his leadership qualities at such a young age, he is also an obvious choice to take the captain’s arm band when Jordan Henderson completes his playing career. As a local hero, and homegrown talent, this will set well with Liverpool and their supporters and fans.
He has the proper temperament, attitude, drive and desire to propel his dream to the rarified air of the all-time greats at Anfield.