As a renowned passer and provider of assists, Alexander-Arnold is widely seen as one of the best right-backs in world football competing at the moment. With some memorable performances for his one and only club so far, Liverpool FC, we take a look at some of the contemporary top quotes on Trent Alexander-Arnold.
In a career just around seven years old, Alexander-Arnold has already won the Premier League, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the FA Cup with the Merseyside club.
Born in Liverpool, and a graduate of the football team youth academy, he made his debut for the club in 2016, and played in consecutive Champions League finals soon after. Winning various ‘young player’ accolades, he was also a representative of the England youth team set-up early on in his career.
His most stunning moment of play came during the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in 2019, when with an ‘instinctive’ corner he enabled the winning goal to be scored with the Spanish defence caught napping. He had two assists in the match as Liverpool overcame an amazing three goal deficit to help the club reach the final.
He went on to break the record for the most assists in a season for a defender in the league, as well as being nominated for the prestigious Ballon d’Or award. The Premier League title followed soon after.
Lauded for his attacking play from defence, Alexander-Arnold is seen as a potent creative player and a provider of many assists from which chances are regularly converted.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
“…..but we saw immediately…..wow. Football-wise, no doubts…..he made steps by himself that were really unbelievable…..He improved in all departments.”
Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool manager)
“Watching De Bruyne is like having Trent in midfield!”
Jamie Carragher (former Liverpool player)
“One of his main qualities is him as a person. You only need to hear him speak now at such a young age, he’s a very impressive person. He’s level-headed, but he has the fire inside him; he hates to lose.”
Neil Critchley (Liverpool academy coach)
“He’s a sensational player, a rare talent. He’s technically brilliant, he has so much quality. He has a Brazilian style of play. I love watching him play. And playing in such a great team will help him grow.”
Cafu (former Brazil defender)
“I saw the ball in the net and didn’t know who had taken the corner, it was too quick for me. Oh my God – genius.”
Jurgen Klopp (after quick corner vs Barcelona in Champions League)
“Impressive…..(He is) the future, a fullback who is impressive going forward.”
Lionel Messi
“He’s the best passer of a ball at right-back that I’ve ever seen. He’s David Beckham and Kevin De Bruyne at right-back.”
Gary Neville
“He’s young and playing ever so well.”
Michael Beale (Liverpool under-23 manager)
“Some days I’d think: ‘I’ve got Trent here; he’s going to quit’. And the next day he’d come back and it was as if he was like: ‘Right, I’ll show you’…..we knew he had the potential to go on and be a top player.”
Neil Critchley (Liverpool academy coach)
“Trent Arnold has a terrific chance of making it as a top professional…..seems to have all the attributes you need…..He has the right attitude.”
Steven Gerrard
“…..has what it takes to become a Ballon d’Or winner.”
Cafu
“I have to say for an 18-year-old who has the confidence to kick a free-kick like that, that is rather exciting and interesting for me…..It was a very intensive match for him…..but he is a really great player.”
Jurgen Klopp
“He just looks like a footballer, a fantastic athlete, perfect for the full back position…..He looks like he’s already got the legs and the pace…..”
Jamie Carragher
“If you look at Trent’s age, and the magnitude of the game over both legs, who he was up against, I think he has to be the star man over the two legs. He’s stood up so well.”
Steven Gerrard (after Champions League win over Manchester City)
“To come into the game under that pressure and produce a performance like that. He was brave on the front foot against a super talent in Sane, he looked so comfortable…..Not only defensively was he fantastic, but when he had the ball, his distribution into front areas and finding a teammate was superb.”
Rio Ferdinand
“…..genuinely world class.”
Gary Lineker
“For 90 minutes plus change, Old Trafford was Alexander‑Arnold’s playground.”
Jonathan Liew (journalist)