Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has spoke out of his joy after being nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award for this season.
Even though it was his great season that got him nominated, the Liverpool wonder-kid admitted he was the last person to hear about the news ahead of the Champions League Quarter-Final with Porto.
The award will be announced at the end of April and the young full-back shared his excitement ahead of the award when speaking to the Liverpool Echo: “It’s exciting. I’m really proud to be mentioned. There’s six really good players. It’s nice to have respect from other players.’
“Michael Edwards told me. He spoke to my mum beforehand and I think my family knew before me but everyone wanted to focus on the game in Porto and get that out of the way before delivering the good news.”
Alexander-Arnold has excelled in Liverpool’s free flowing system and has eight assists this season, only bettered by fellow full-back Andrew Robertson.
OPINION
The nomination for Alexander-Arnold is richly deserved. The young defender has been outstanding ever since breaking into the Liverpool side and is now an integral part of a back four which has impressed both in a defensive and attacking sense this season. Eight assists is great from defence but that is now the norm for any wing-back in the modern game. Liverpool’s style has certainly helped Arnold as the defensive side of the game is where he has struggled the most. The nominations show that attacking players take preference in the award with Declan Rice being the only other defensive minded player involved in the six nominated. In terms of impact, the West Ham midfielder has arguably had more on his side but in terms of results and effecting games, Alexander-Arnold can not be challenged in that category. The favourites for the award will certainly be the Manchester City duo of Bernardo Silva and Raheem Sterling but the Liverpool man definitely has a great chance of taking the award at the end of April.
