2 years ago
Trent Alexander-Arnold, a fan favorite at Anfield, has identified two players who could follow in his footsteps from Liverpool's academy in recent years.
Nathan Ridley is a character in the film Nathan Ridley
Trent Harvey Elliott and Kaide Gordon will be mainstays of Liverpool's first-team for years to come, according to Alexander-Arnold.
The 23-year-old rose through the ranks of the Reds in the 2010s and is now a well-established Anfield star, with all eyes on him.
Despite the fact that both Elliott and Gordon were signed after their 16th birthdays, each starlet spent a significant amount of time in Liverpool's academy in the hopes of breaking through as first-team players.
In an interview with Premier League Uncut, Alexander-Arnold praised the pair after being asked who the Reds' highest-rated players would be.
Gordon, meanwhile, joined the Reds from local club Derby County earlier this year for a £1 million compensation fee that could rise to $3 million with add-ons.
In September, the 17-year-old made his League Cup debut against Norwich City, playing 90 minutes in a 3-0 win for Liverpool.
Following the game, Klopp lavished praise on Gordon, saying: "He's very good. There are many things to improve, many things to settle, and many things to learn, but there are many things already in place.
"Let me put it this way: we are delighted to have him here, and we will treat him with care.
The Reds' manager went on to say: "Kaide's first words to me after the game, when I wanted to say "congratulations," were, "Thank you!" 'Nothing to thank me for, you deserved it,' I said."
Pep Ljinders, Klopp's No. 2 and a big fan of the forward, said ahead of the cup match: "He has a natural ability to score from between the goalposts, even when a cross comes from the opposite side, which not many players have.
"Many wingers have dribbling ability but lack the desire to shoot, enter the box, and score. So, in my opinion, he is a typical Liverpool winger because he scores goals and is quick."
"We established an identity the moment Jurgen arrived," Ljinders continued, "so that's seven years of the same ideas, the same pathways, and the same trust in young players."
At this level, that is the only way to bring young talent into a first team."