What a compliment.
Despite his manager’s pre-match claims, Trent Alexander-Arnold seemingly started in midfield for Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Stoke City on Saturday.
Jurgen Klopp scoffed when the Sky Sports interviewer dared to assume that the youngster, who has played primarily at right-back this season, would step into a role in central midfield at Anfield.
But, lo and behold, kick-off arrived and Alexander-Arnold appeared to fill the role that the injured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would usually occupy.
https://twitter.com/AnfieldHQ/status/990191762797924352
While he squandered a first-half chance to open the scoring, Alexander-Arnold’s runs and passes earned him plenty of comparisons with arguably the greatest Liverpool player of all time.
Steven Gerrard’s versatility was one of his greatest strengths during his time at Anfield and he has previously backed Alexander-Arnold for big things at Liverpool.
“Trent Arnold has a terrific chance of making it as a top professional,” Gerrard wrote in his 2016 autobiography.
“He’s quite leggy but he’s got a lovely frame and seems to have all the attributes you need. He has the right attitude and comes from West Derby, home to Melwood.
“So Trent is another Scouser and apparently, just as I tried to be John Barnes and Steve McMahon, he grew up pretending to be me while playing in the Merseyside parks.
“He can play as a No 6, a holding midfielder, but he’s versatile and I’ve seen him fill various positions. I know England are all over him.”
Alexander-Arnold’s latest impression of Gerrard came on Saturday and it’s not going unnoticed by supporters.
Trent is the next Gerrard I can already tell.
— Stray Offside (@StrayOffside_) April 28, 2018
Something about Trent reminds me of Gerrard. Maybe his running style, going to develop into some player.
— Chris. (@ChrisJongUn) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/AllezAllezLFC/status/990196942478237697
Trent with a gerrard run❤ insert it into my veeeinzzz
— Kam (@Kamil_LFC94) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/gerrard1212/status/990192544637247488
Gerrard started out as a right back didn't he?
— Halldór Karvel (@HalldorKarvel) April 28, 2018
Trent reminding me of Stevie
— Oliverkanerice90 (@oliverkanerice5) April 28, 2018
Trent in midfield . Just like how a certain Stevie started his career #LFC
— Mo (@big_mo_za) April 28, 2018
https://twitter.com/Thefalse10role/status/990201225080725504
