Trent hopes to emulate his hero Gerrard
A 13-year-old memory and a comment from Steven Gerrard drive Trent Alexander-arnold on to emulate his idol and one day lift the Champions League trophy for Liverpool.
The 19-year-old fullback is likely to become the first local player to properly break through from Liverpool’s academy since the legendary ex-skipper.
And doing what Gerrard did back in 2005 has inspired the youngster for more than half of his life.
“I was seven when Liverpool won the Champions League but I remember the open-top bus coming right past my house,” he says.
“We had flags hanging outside the windows.
“Me and my mates were all standing on the wall outside and playing footy in the front garden waiting for them to come.
“To see all the players – my idols – going right past my house with the Champions’ League trophy was just unbelievable.
“I remember sitting in my mum’s car, driving around seeing everywhere red and thinking, ‘That’s what I want to do one day.’
“I’ve probably watched that game back about 10-15 times. It brought so much joy to the city and hopefully one day the club will be able to enjoy that again.”
It’s a long shot but that opportunity could even come this season, with Liverpool up against Porto next week – and Alexander-arnold likely to be in the team.
Gerrard has taken a long-term interest in his fellow Liverpudlian’s development, singling him as one for the future in his autobiography and recently saying: “Trent’s going to be a beauty – a top, top player.”
“It was nice to hear those words because he was a big figure in the club when I was growing up and an idol for me,” says the youngster, who will face Southampton at St Mary’s today.
“I grew up a fiveminute walk from the training ground and I’d go and wait for autographs or try to find a gap in the high walls around Melwood and get a little sneak peak at training.
“I wanted to get a glimpse of the people I aspired to be like, especially those who were involved in the European success.
“That was a big thing for me – the people who won things for the club were always the heroes.
“I know what it feels like to watch a Scouse player on the pitch.
“When I was growing up they were the leaders and the inspirations for me.
“That was a big reason I always wanted to make it at Liverpool. I’d seen what they meant to people.
“If everything goes to plan then I don’t see me leaving the club.
“Whenever I’m in the academy I’ll see Gerrard and I’ll try to pick his brain on how to get better. It’s important to learn every day, channel that information and use it to my advantage.”