Trent on Gerrard, development and his Melwood memories
Trent Alexander-Arnold used to peer through Melwood’s walls to watch Steven Gerrard train - now the Liverpool youngster counts the former Reds captain as a mentor, as well as his idol.
The 18-year-old Academy graduate grew up just a stone’s throw away from Liverpool’s West Derby training facility, meaning he would often visit in the hope of catching a glimpse of his heroes.
“I had a lot of idols growing up like Fernando Torres, Xabi Alonso, Gerrard, [Jamie] Carragher, all of them,” said Alexander-Arnold.
“I really looked up to them. Obviously just living around the corner, it was an opportunity to see them.
“I’d never really seen them close up so coming down gave me an opportunity to see them that way. I just used to try and look in the cars as they went past. I used to squint through the cracks in the wall and watch them train.”
Gerrard, of course, is now back at the club as an Academy coach and will take charge of the Reds’ U18s side from next season.
And the opportunity to take advice directly from one of his footballing inspirations, as well as Academy director Alex Inglethorpe, is something Alexander-Arnold is relishing.
“Steven’s been really helpful. I went up to the Academy a couple of weeks ago and had a sit down with Steven and Alex Inglethorpe to talk about the progress I’ve been making and what I still need to work on, everything like that,” he said.
“He’s told me that he’s always there for me if I ever need to question something because he’s been in my position and it really helps me to have a mentor within the club.
“Steven’s definitely that because he’s my idol and it meant a lot to me for him to say that he’s always there for me. If I ever do need the support I’ll definitely go to him.
“Alex has overseen most training sessions and games and been there to tell me what I have done well and done wrong. Some of the time it has not always been the feedback you want, but it is always to help.
“Constructive criticism from him helps and when I get a well done from him I know it must be thoroughly deserved because he does not throw them around. I respect his word.
“I will always ask him for advice and respect his opinion. He will tell me the truth so I will always ask him how I played and how he thinks I can get better.”
Alexander-Arnold has made 12 first-team appearances for Liverpool this season having been handed his senior debut in Jürgen Klopp’s side’s EFL Cup win over Tottenham Hotspur in October.
However, there is no chance of the England U19 international resting on his laurels as he seeks to establish himself as a first-team regular with his boyhood club.
“I still have it all to do. I think until I am playing every game all season for a couple of seasons I am always going to be striving for better,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“You can never be comfortable because there is either someone to compete with or someone coming up to take your position.
“That’s always how it is going to be in football, someone trying to get your shirt. That’s how to look at it. You can never relax or be too complacent. Someone will try to get the shirt off you.
“I know that I’m far from making it and I’m far from reaching my full potential. I think that’s the best way of seeing it, especially with your friends and family backing that up by always being there for you. I know I always have to work hard off the pitch.”