There’s been plenty of noise around Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performances for club and country over the past 12 months, but the man himself has maintained a cool head. Donning a retro shellsuit for FFT, the Merseyside maestro insists he’s still got lofty ambitions – none more so than becoming the best footballer on the planet...
Words Matthew Ketchell Portraits Nick Eagle
TRENT ALEXANDER ARNOLD
itting across the table from FourFourTwo, Trent Alexander-Arnold is silently, agonisingly looking for perfection. It’s six years since our last proper sit-down with him, and plenty has happened.
Back in early 2018, a teenage Trent was yet to collect his first England cap, but had officially installed himself into Liverpool’s first-team picture. It was a new status – one he was relishing, one he was desperate to hold on to and develop. Boy, has he.
During that chat in the Alexander-Arnold family home, FFT asked the young right-back where he saw himself in a few years’ time. His prediction was as accurate as one of his famous dead-ball deliveries: “Still at Liverpool – an important figure in a team that’s won a lot of silverware.”
If the first phase of his career as a Liverpool regular has been important, the second is crucial. You get the feeling he knows it. Now 25 and the Reds’ vice-captain, repeating the question ‘Where do you see yourself in a few years’ time?’ has sent Alexander-Arnold into deep, silent thought. He wants his reply to be as measured as one of his signature passes. He won’t be rushed. He’s stewing, searching for a big answer to a big question.
“Wow. Where will I be? Where will I be?” he quietly repeats to himself, before exhaling through pursed lips. FFT waits, as eager to hear his answer as we are to watch the next chapter of what has been a wondrous career.
SHANKLY, THEN TRENT
Stepping outside Liverpool Lime Street station into a blindingly bright but freezing morning, a 30ft tall image of Alexander-Arnold beams back at FFT from a giant advertising screen in crystal clear high definition.
As the poster boy of Adidas’ new marketing campaign, various shots of Trent posing and pinging footballs around in his new boots are being beamed around Liverpool and various other cities worldwide. In November, he inked one of the most lucrative contracts in Europe with the sportswear giant – everyone wants a piece of Alexander-Arnold.
Illustrating just how box office he’s become is a scene we pass on the way to the secret location where we’ve a
