Alexander-Arnold: What I'm working on at Melwood to improve
Trent Alexander-Arnold has offered an insight into the daily work he’s doing at Melwood as the young defender strives to improve and continue his eye-catching development.
The 19-year-old has chalked up nine appearances so far in 2017-18 for Liverpool, notching two goals, and been elevated to the England U21 squad.
However, Alexander-Arnold won’t be resting on his laurels anytime soon as he battles with Joe Gomez for the right-back berth – and the No.66 feels he knows what he needs to do to enhance his game.
“From my point of view I’m a lot better going forward than defensively [right now] but I’m a defender first and foremost and the most important part of that is not going forward but how you can defend,” he told the Liverpool Echo. “The staff and the players around Melwood are helping me in every way they can, the sports scientists, the fitness coaches, the manager.
“Training every day against top quality opposition is tough and you get those tough decisions you find yourself in in games.
“Growing up in the Academy I didn’t really have that but once you make that step up, every day is hard and you’ve got to stay concentrated and it really helps come matchday.”
LFCTV GO: The best of Trent v Southampton
Alexander-Arnold was last handed a starting role for the Reds in the 3-0 win over Southampton at Anfield on November 18 – and he delivered a performance Jürgen Klopp afterwards hailed as his best defensively for the first team.
He continued: “I think for the next couple of years or so right-back will definitely be my position so that’s what I’ve got to focus on improving. First and foremost you are a defender and if you’re in the back four when that squad is announced then you’ve got to defend, you’re not a winger. You go out there to defend first and foremost and if you can bring something to the attack then that’s what you try to do.
“I think that was definitely in my mindset going into the Southampton game and I was happy to hear the manager’s kind words afterwards for me. But again I tried not to dwell on it too long and tried to go into training for the next couple of days and show it wasn’t just a one-off.
“I’ve tried to carry it on and to show that I’m learning and improving every day.”
Overall, Alexander-Arnold is satisfied with his level of performance and development so far this season – and feels the team as a whole have made a solid start to the campaign.
“It’s been a really good season so far personally and decent for the club as well,” he reflected.
“Maybe we’re not in the position we want to be in the league right now but there’s still a long way to go and anything can happen. It’s the Premier League and any team can beat any team. It’s still tight and getting tighter and tighter.
“In the Champions League we’re still top of our group and we want to secure our place in the round of 16 and that’s what we’ll try to do. That’s what we set out to target at the start of the season and hopefully we’ll accomplish that next week.”
Arguably the highlight of Alexander-Arnold’s season so far was his stunning 25-yard free-kick away to TSG Hoffenheim in the UEFA Champions League play-off, first-leg clash in Germany.
“Yeah I’ve watched the replay a couple of times and it’s a moment that will stay with me forever,” he said.
“It was important at the time not to dwell on it for too long. Keep trying to play and perform and keep the manager’s trust and that’s what I tried to do. It’s what I still try to do every time I step on the pitch.”