Liverpool U23 boss: Youngster’s improvement is scary

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Trent Alexander-Arnold was skippering the Under-18s last season, but his levels have increased so quickly that he’s now a genuine option for Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.

He was brought on the summer tour and impressed, but few would have predicted he’d have played such a role in our campaign so far. Already, he’s made seven first-team appearances, including a full Premier League debut at Old Trafford.

Not bad for someone who isn’t 19 until October.

Alexander-Arnold recently dropped back to the Under-23s to get some game-time, and put in a scintillating performance for Mike Garrity’s side – registering two assists in our 3-2 comeback win.

According to the coach, he’s noticed a massive difference in the teenager’s ability since he’s been training at Melwood.

“Trent is doing really well and is moving in the right direction,” the U23s boss told Liverpoolfc.com.

“He was very good and you can see he has gone up a level in his game. I thought [against Tottenham] he showed how much he has developed in a short space of time.

“He’s been at Melwood since pre-season and he’s made a few appearances in the first-team and done well.

“Our plan was to get Trent in the right areas and for him to be adventurous because when he does that he causes people a lot of problems with his speed and his power.

“With the way he can twist and turn and the ability he has got with crossing the ball, it makes him a really good option for us in attack.

“We got him higher up the pitch in the second-half and he will cause anyone problems with the quality he has got.”

If Klopp keeps with his 4-3-3 formation, we’re unlikely to see Alexander-Arnold much before the end of the season, with Liverpool out of both cups and only having 14 Premier League games remaining.

However, his attributes would suit the wing-back role perfectly, so if the German goes with a back-three, Alexander-Arnold’s name might come up again.

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