Alexander-Arnold eager to take 'rare chance' to make Liverpool history
Trent Alexander-Arnold is determined to help Liverpool seize a rare opportunity to record a first in the club’s history as they bid to lift the FIFA Club World Cup this weekend.
The Reds take on Flamengo in Saturday’s final in Qatar aiming to secure a trophy they have never before won in their illustrious 127-year history.
It is, therefore, a prospect Alexander-Arnold feels is hugely significant for the current squad – and one he is eager to try to ensure they take full advantage of.
He told Liverpoolfc.com in Doha ahead of the game: “I’m excited. We’re in a good position, we’ve got a lot of momentum right now, we’re confident in ourselves, in our ability, and this is where we want to be as a team – in these competitions.
“If you think back to Liverpool teams [of the past], these kind of games don’t come up too often. For us, it is exciting and a chance to create history as the first team to win it for the club and that’s something you don’t have the privilege of doing usually because of the history of the club. For us, it’s a big opportunity.
“World champions would be something to be proud of and we have an opportunity to be the first Liverpool team to do that. As I said, there aren’t many things that haven’t been done in the past, so for us it’s a massive opportunity.”
Liverpool booked their place in the final with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Monterrey at Khalifa International Stadium on Wednesday.
It was a result that required a last-gasp strike from Roberto Firmino to seal the win, with Alexander-Arnold supplying a pin-point assist as the Reds continued their remarkable record of notching late goals this season.
“We’re in a good spell, we’re getting wins under our belt, we’re starting to get a few more clean sheets,” continued the No.66.
“Winning late on in games, scoring late goals, it’s the sign of a good team – not giving up and keeping going until the end. It’s something the manager has drilled into us and something the fans buy into, the players buy into, the whole club buys into.
“They’ve seen us be able to score late goals and keep going until the end. We need to keep that up and make sure we play until the final whistle – and we did that against Monterrey.”
Standing in Liverpool’s way of the trophy are Flamengo – Brazilian champions and Copa Libertadores winners.
Alexander-Arnold anticipates an entertaining contest against Jorge Jesus’ side, but is confident the Reds’ pre-match analysis will have them readied for what they will come up against.
He said: “You need to know the opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and they are a team that will never give up as well. It will be an interesting game and an exciting game too, with two really passionate sides going for what they want.
“They obviously have got a lot of support back home and out here, so it’s going to be a really good contest and one we’re not underestimating.
“We’re always focused on the opposition, we need to know more about them, we need to understand the ways they play and how our game plan will adapt so we can hopefully win the game.”