Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold sat down with Gary Neville on The Overlap and opened up on several issues.
In a candid interview, the Scouse-born defender discussed the impact of departing manager Jurgen Klopp, the upcoming transition to a new coach and Liverpool’s ongoing Premier League title fight.
On Klopp’s influence
“Incredible really,” Alexander-Arnold said. “I think I owe him everything.”
“As a player, all you can do or ask for is opportunity. All you can do is hope that when you get to 18 or 19, you’ve got a manager who’s ready to give you a chance, and I was fortunate to have that.
“He put his arm around me and guided me through it. Through the ups and downs, winning and losing, good games, bad games.”
Alexander-Arnold heralded him for setting them up to be the hardest team to beat in the world and further praised the former Borussia Dortmund boss for being an open person that the team can learn from.
The England international briefly described the surreal moment Klopp announced his departure, stating that the manager ‘knew he had given his all’.
A new era at Anfield
The Liverpool full-back is also looking forward to the challenge of working under a new manager, accepting that it is partly on the players to help the new boss make the transition successful.
“Of course, the new manager is going to come in and change the way we play,” he added. “It will be a different kind of culture and different kinds of messages.
“But as players, there must be that mentality to win, the internal pressure, and a demand to win things and be in the title race again next season – no matter who the manager is.”
Experience counts when chasing glory in the final stretch
Liverpool have since dropped crucial points in the Premier League title race, losing to Crystal Palace and drawing with Manchester United.
The Reds have allowed Manchester City to overtake them and face an uphill battle to stay in the title race.
However, Alexander-Arnold has not given up yet with six games left to play and believes Liverpool’s experience will play a key role as the race goes down to the wire.
“There are going to be twists and turns, but we hope we are going to be in the best position in May,” Alexander-Arnold said.
