Liverpool sensation Trent Alexander-Arnold candidly opened up about his performances last season and explained why he thought he had improved for the better.
The 19-year-old right-back has had a wonderful season at Anfield during the current campaign, impressing many people with his displays during the 31 games he has featured in.
However after making only seven Premier League appearances last season, Alexander-Arnold commented on why this season had gone drastically better for him.
“I feel that when I look back on last season I was a bit immature, a bit rash in challenges, decision-making in pressurised situations, but I think that the more games you play, the more minutes you play, the more in and around the first team you are, the easier it becomes,” said the defender during an in-depth interview with the BBC.
“You get used to situations you’ve not been in before, you get used opposition fans booing you, shouting stuff, when you get thrown into the deep end, that helps you as a young player.”
Reds manager Jurgen Klopp opted to gush about Alexander-Arnold’s development on Friday, sharing how he has witnessed a change in the teenager.
“I am a fan of Trent. That’s why he plays very often, and because he plays on a high level. He’s developed over the past year. Mentally he didn’t have to improve but physically he did,” said Klopp, as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.
OPINION
Alexander-Arnold has the world at his feet and it has been a joy to watch his drastic improvement this season. While the 19-year-old has compared his abilities now to how they were last season, he shouldn’t be oblivious to the constant progress he has made throughout the current campaign. Alexander-Arnold was torn apart when he faced a rampant Manchester City side in September as he could do nothing to stop his side suffering a 5-0 defeat. However when he faced Pep Guardiola’s formidable side once again during the Champions League quarter-finals, he made them wish he wasn’t playing. The 19-year-old let nothing get past him in either leg when the sides played their matches in April and that was proof of his development. It’s also nice to hear Alexander-Arnold speak so candidly about his development as a player, as a lot of footballers shy away from criticising themselves publicly. However clearly just like he does on the football pitch, the defender shows no fear when choosing to do what he feels is right.
