Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold confirms "game plans" for Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr.
Trent Alexander-Arnold grew up near Melwood and will play in his third Champions League final at the age of 23 – but Real Madrid are a threat to his ambitions.
It appears both unbelievable and fitting that a kid who kicked a football around in the shadow of the Liverpool training ground is about to make major history with the club.
Trent Alexander-Arnold grew up near Melwood, the famous Reds training complex, and used to watch the stars in their flashy cars drive by his front door. He is now one of those stars, and at the age of 23, he will compete in his THIRD Champions League final for the club he grew up supporting.
Allow that to sink in for a moment. Three finals at that age - younger than Paolo Maldini in his first final, younger than Real Madrid legend Raul, younger than Raphael Varane - made him the competition's youngest ever winner. It's remarkable for an unassuming lad, 'The Scouser in the Team,' as the Kop affectionately refers to him, and he admits it's humbling.
"I mean, it's incredible to be in my third final and have the opportunity to win the competition for the second time at this age." "It's very special," he said. "I consider myself fortunate to be in this position." When you consider how many world-class players and great players haven't played in a single final, you realize how fortunate you are. I'm just glad to be a part of it and have this honor."
It's thrilling, but also a little frightening. The biggest game of his life, against European royalty, with an incredible team. Two world football behemoths in what could be the world's most anticipated final. It's pointless for Alexander-Arnold to pretend it's anything other than a joke.
"I think you can try your hardest to say it's just another game, but everything around it is different."
"We don't do press conferences, media days, pitch training, and other things like that on a regular basis." So it's big and different, but we embrace these moments. It's what you work so hard for behind the scenes for; these are the events you want to be a part of, and we are thrilled."
Alexander- Arnold understands that these are the games where legends are made. And this enabled him to suggest, when asked in the press conference before the final, that it is even more important than the games against Manchester City this season.
"Look, City is massive, they pose a different threat, and it was difficult to miss out on the title like that, but this is the Champions League final, in Paris at an incredible venue, in the best club competition in the world." Yes, this is the largest."
The game could come down to a battle between the young Scouser and his even younger opponent, Vinicius Junior, 21. While Alexander-Arnold is looking forward to the battle, he says they will defend the frightening winger as a unit. "I'm really looking forward to it," he said.
"When you play against Real Madrid, you expect to be playing against world-class players, and there will be battles all over the pitch." We have game plans, not just one player, to deal with Madrid. Vinicius has demonstrated his threat this season with goals and assists, and there is work to be done with individual battles, but we go out there as a group to defend, it's a team game."
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