Dhanda plans to match meteoric rise of friend Alexander-arnold

Even after making the best possible start to his first-team career, Yan Dhanda is not satisfied. The accomplishments of his good friend Trent Alexander-arnold are pushing him to achieve much, much more.

Dhanda, 19, made a big decision in leaving the Liverpool Under-23 set-up to join Swansea City in May, but has already been rewarded. He scored with his first touch in senior football, 29 seconds after coming on as a substitute, to give new manager Graham Potter a winning start at Sheffield United’s expense.

The Birmingham-born forward’s story is a fascinating one; he won a trial at Chelsea in a competition as an 11-year-old, but turned it down because he was happy at West Bromwich Albion. After moving to Merseyside, he became the first player of Indian heritage to sign a professional contract with Liverpool. He watched on last season as his friend Alexander-arnold became an Anfield first-team regular, played in a Champions League final and went to the World Cup with England – and decided he wanted some of that for himself.

“I spoke to Trent the other day,” Dhanda said. “He’s flying. I hope I can follow him and do what he’s doing. My dream is to play for England, to go to the World Cup, to play in the Champions League, win the Premier League. I want it all.”

Trailing to George Baldock’s goal, Potter brought on Jefferson Montero to transform the match, and Oli Mcburnie equalised with his first league goal for the club, before Dhanda’s winner left United to deal with the mental pain of defeat.

“This game will hurt us, but we need to move on quickly,” Baldock said.