Liverpool fans have long yearned for the next\u00a0local talent to break\u00a0into the senior team from\u00a0the club’s famous academy.\u00a0Since the likes of Steve McManaman, Robbie Fowler, Jamie Carragher and Steven Gerrard made the grade, many have tried and failed, to become the next Liverpudlian to establish a place in the\u00a0club’s\u00a0first team.\u00a0Next in line is highly rated right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.<\/p>\n
The 18-year old broke into the first team towards the start of last season, making his debut in the 2-1 league cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur. He impressed\u00a0before being replaced by\u00a0first\u00a0choice right back Nathaniel Clyne.\u00a0He kept his place in the team for the following League Cup game against Leeds United. He assisted a goal for\u00a0team mate Divock Origi with a superb cross, whilst also\u00a0deservedly picking up the\u00a0man of the match award.\u00a0Alexander-Arnold then retained his place in the team for all of the club’s remaining League Cup fixtures with the exception of the first leg of the semi-final against Southampton.<\/p>\n
Although the majority of his performances have come in cup competitions, Alexander-Arnold has also been given a number of opportunities in the league. Most coming from the bench in the latter stages of games.<\/p>\n
The most notable of his performances was his first Premier League start against Manchester United at Old Trafford.\u00a0After a difficult start against\u00a0United forward\u00a0Anthony Martial, he\u00a0grew into the game. He showed his attacking capabilities, whilst also defending superbly to keep Martial quiet.\u00a0The maturity showed by the youngster to rise above the intimidating atmosphere of Old Trafford shows he has the mental strength to\u00a0match his exceptional talents.<\/p>\n
Clyne recovered for the next game, however, and remained free from injury for the remainder of the season, meaning Alexander-Arnold’s\u00a0start’s were limited.\u00a0Most of his subsequent\u00a0appearances coming in the latter stages of league games.<\/p>\n
Alexander-Arnold’s\u00a0impressive cameo’s from the bench led to him being awarded a start on the wide right of midfield for the key Premier League encounter with Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium.\u00a0However, he was replaced at half-time for Roberto Firmino, having struggled to make an impression on the game.<\/p>\n
Despite the disappointment for the right-back, it is clear that\u00a0opportunities will once again come his way as he possesses all the attributes required to become a\u00a0premier league level\u00a0right back.\u00a0In attack, he has the speed and an eye for goal, as well as\u00a0good crossing ability. He is also very dependable defensively, being a tenacious tackler and a good reader of the game.\u00a0 At the tender age of 18 years, he is likely to keep improving.<\/p>\n
Such is the attacking ability he possesses, many think that Alexander-Arnold’s talents would be wasted if he was to spend his career playing right back.\u00a0After all, Gerrard spent time during his early years at Anfield playing right back\u00a0before being moved to his customary central midfield position.\u00a0This is a transition which Liverpool supporters believe could possibly\u00a0occur with Alexander-Arnold.\u00a0However, the current indications are that Alexander-Arnold will remain at right back,\u00a0given that he\u00a0played the whole of last season there for the club’s under 21\u00a0side, as well as England’s under 19\u00a0side.<\/p>\n
The Scouser’s form was impeccable for both teams last season and he was later deservedly awarded the Liverpool Young Player of the Season award.<\/p>\n
One of the most impressive feats of Alexander-Arnold’s footballing career to date\u00a0are his performances for the England Under 19’s side. He has scored an incredible 7 goals in 8 games, including three braces, all of which have come from right back.\u00a0Should he continue this form then progression to the England U21 side will not be far away.<\/p>\n
If Alexander-Arnold continues to impress then he may threaten first choice right-back Clyne. Although Clyne is a solid enough defender, his attacking contribution is largely limited at times. This is not seemingly the case when\u00a0Alexander-Arnold takes the field, with his ability to support in\u00a0attack\u00a0being one of the key attributes of his rather large skill set.\u00a0Even if he fails to displace Clyne as starter under Jurgen Klopp, then he will still certainly be capable of remaining a suitable\u00a0back-up\u00a0option to the England International.<\/p>\n
He will be sure to get plenty of game time at Liverpool this season with European football and both domestic cup competitions. Thus avoiding any need for a\u00a0loan move elsewhere for first team football.<\/p>\n
Should he continue his impressive development, it certainly seems a matter of time before Nathaniel Clyne’s position in the starting line-up will be under threat. Alexander-Arnold would then\u00a0fully establish himself as the next Scouse Academy graduate to cement a place in the first team.<\/p>\n
Main Photo<\/p>\n