Liverpool sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold is the one young player every club in Europe would want in their team, according to former England and Tottenham defender Gary Stevens.
It has certainly been a remarkable 18 months for Alexander-Arnold, a Scouser and lifelong Reds fan.
Primarily a midfielder during his time with the academy, Alexander-Arnold replaced Nathaniel Clyne at right-back for his first-team debut against Spurs in October 2016.
All he needed was a chance and Alexander-Arnold has refused to let go. Manager Jurgen Klopp once stating that his burgeoning defender was “the embodiment of ‘we’re never gonna stop’.”
After being named Liverpool‘s Young Player of the Season in 2017, Alexander-Arnold was a mainstay in the 2017/18 season and started in the Champions League final loss to Real Madrid.
12 months later he was lifting the Champions League trophy after playing 90 minutes in the win over Spurs.
At just 20 years of age, Alexander-Arnold has already grown into a top footballer and some have suggested Klopp could now start to utilise his young star in his original midfield position.
Stevens, who won the 1984 UEFA Cup with Spurs and six caps for the Three Lions, agrees with that sentiment, and added that Alexander-Arnold’s ability is the envy of clubs across Europe.
He told TribalFootball.com: “I see him as a very balanced footballer, so yes he can play right-back, yes he can play as a wing-back, yes he can play as a right-sided midfield player-cum-winger, there’s no two ways about it.
“I’ve got nothing but good things to say about him. He seems to have a very, very experienced football brain and a very calm experienced head on his shoulders.
“I would think that if there was one young player in the whole of Europe who just about every single top club would like to take, because of his youth, because of his quality, because of his temperament, because of what he has achieved already, it would have to be Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool.”
The Reds would not have been crowned champions of Europe had it not been for Alexander-Arnold’s shining moment in the semi-final win over Barcelona, a highlight that will be replayed by supporters for decades.
With the aggregate scores level at 3-3, and Barca’s defenders oblivious, Alexander-Arnold took a quick corner which Divock Origi converted to book Liverpool‘s place in Madrid.
Stevens continued: “When you see it, he’s put the ball down in the corner quadrant and (Xherdan) Shaqiri has come over as if he’s going to take it, then suddenly Alexander-Arnold has seen an opportunity.
“Seeing it is one thing but actually having the courage to take the opportunity on is another thing and then of course being able to deliver it is the third thing, and for somebody of his age and young years and everything, it was phenomenal that he showed all the qualities you need to deliver – it was remarkable.”
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