Liverpool were nearly unstoppable last season, securing both domestic cups, narrowly losing in the Champions League final, and being pipped to the league by just a point. The Reds were two wins from immortality.
Jurgen Klopp’s men have come a long way from when he first began his task in 2015, and given that he has just extended his contract until 2026, he seems far from finished.
One of his biggest successes of his tenure is undoubtedly the emergence of marauding full-back and homegrown talent Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has shattered the expectations of what it means to be a defender.
The 23-year-old made his first-team debut back in 2016 and was slowly integrated into the senior setup until his first standout season in the 2018/19 season saw him aid the Merseyside outfit to their sixth European cup.
In that season, the West Derby-born star recorded 12 assists in the Premier League. He went on to grab another 12 in 2021/22, and an astounding 13 in 2019/20.
His incredibly quality at such a young age has led Brazilian legend Cafu to label him “one of the best right-backs in the world”. Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson further supported him, stating that the defender was “phenomenal”. He earns praise from all who watch him.
Alexander-Arnold’s youth and ability also has current record appearance holder at Liverpool, Ian Callaghan, expecting him to surpass his record of 857 games for the Reds.
He claimed that “Trent could overtake me, very much so. He’s a terrific player and only young. Records are there to be broken.”
Seen as he was an academy graduate, Liverpool will have paid nothing to acquire his services. He was rated at just £450k back in February of 2017.
Now, however, Transfermarkt currently values the youngster at a mouth-watering £72m. In fact, over 2020 his value peaked at £99m, marking an indescribable increase of 21,900% from his first valuation back in 2017.
This kind of growth in just three years is a testament to not only his ability but Klopp’s system that allows the right-back to earn such high praise for his attacking exploits.
Without Alexander-Arnold, this Liverpool side would be considerably worse off, and it is always endearing to see a boyhood fan perform for their club. At the rate he is currently going at, all record holders at the club should fear the youngster with the world at his feet.
In other news, Klopp could have Liverpool’s perfect VVD heir for years to come in “incredible” 19 y/o.
