Trent Alexander Arnold’s journey in the Liverpool FC colours has been a fairytale ride for the young Scouser. The 21-year old has emerged into one of the best fullbacks in the game right now, and his contributions on the pitch for his side have been noted and hailed by fans and teammates alike. Ever since the Liverpool born and bred Arnold made his debut for the Reds against Tottenham Hotspurs in the fourth round of the EFL Cup, the player has not looked back even once on his path towards greatness at the Merseyside club.
However, in his early days at Liverpool FC, Arnold was unable to dislodge experienced English international Nathaniel Clyne as Klopp’s first-choice right-back in the Reds’ starting lineup. However, Clyne was subject to a series of injuries at the beginning of the 2017-18 season and was sidelined for a number of months.
This allowed Arnold to break into the Liverpool FC starting lineup and make a name for himself amongst the Reds’ fanbase. The young Scouser’s antics on the pitch was further popularized when Arnold struck a brilliant free-kick against Hoffenheim in the Champions League playoff to seal Liverpool FC’s qualification into the most prestigious club competition in the world.
The same season saw the Liverpool FC starlets’ stock rise within the footballing world with Arnold notching up an incredible number of wonderful showings from the right-back spot in the Reds’ lineup. The youngster’s crossing ability proved to be his biggest strength on the pitch, with Arnold’s deliveries into the box being pinpoint to perfection.
Moreover, in the English international, Jurgen Klopp found a set-piece specialist who was equally proficient on free-kicks as well as on corner duties. The absence of a player who was great in dead ball situations was a major concern for Klopp’s Liverpool FC side in previous seasons.
The 2018-19 campaign, in which Arnold had solidified his position in the Liverpool FC starting lineup, was a great success for the Merseyside giants. However, for the 21-year old Arnold, that season was a monumental one that will forever be etched in the Scouser’s heart.
The Reds fullback racked up 12 assists in the Premier League, thereby setting a new record for a defender in the process. The most memorable moment regarding Arnold’s involvement for the Reds, however, came in the Reds’ semi-final clash against FC Barcelona at Anfield.
Going into the second leg trailing Messi and Co. By three goals, a genius corner kick by the young right-back was pounced upon by Divock Origi for Liverpool FC’s fourth goal of the night to take them through to the finals of the Champions League. Arnold’s cleverness on the pitch was hailed by fans and football pundits alike and was quickly dubbed the “corner taken quickly Origi” moment.
An easy victory awaited Jurgen Klopp’s side in the finale held at Madrid against fellow Premier League side Tottenham Hotspurs which meant that Liverpool FC lifted their sixth Champions League, and in the process ended a seven-year wait for silverware to be won by the Merseyside giants.
As the Reds look to wrap up the current Premier League campaign, having been crowned the league champions after a 30-year wait, Arnold has been a crucial performer yet again for his boyhood club. Appearing in all of the 36 league games played by Liverpool FC this season, the 21-year old right-back has managed three goals and 12 assists to his name.
Very few would doubt the paramount importance of the English defender to Jurgen Klopp and the Liverpool FC squad. Having come through the ranks of the Reds youth academy, Arnold wears the Liverpool FC colours with immense pride whenever he takes the pitch for the club. Moreover, the fact that he is Liverpool born and bred is loved by the club’s supporters who absolutely adore the young Scouser.
Despite praises for the young fullback being sung far and wide, the English international is often subjected to criticism for his defensive displays for the Reds. Known to be more attacking in his approach on the pitch, Arnold finds himself caught out by opposition wingers time and again. However, with the Scouser being only 21 despite the success he has accumulated over the course of his four-year-long career for the Reds, there is no doubt that the player would improve upon his defensive abilities as well in the time to come.
Recent months have seen several former football greats such as Liverpool FC legend Graeme Souness and Manchester United FC icon Garry Neville speak on Arnold’s possible transition into midfield for the Reds. The 21-year old certainly possesses an outstanding range of passing, characterised by his brilliant switch of play through pinpoint diagonal passes, and an astute vision on the pitch.
However, only time will tell whether the fullback does slot into the Liverpool FC midfield and replicate the success enjoyed by his boyhood idol Steven Gerrard as the Reds’ heroic midfield force. But one thing is for certain which is that the name Trent Alexander Arnold has been etched into the local folklore surrounding Liverpool FC’s legacy in modern football.
