Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Sunday brought two pre-assists, two illustrations of remarkable ball-striking ability. The first showed his skills as a set-piece specialist, the corner that led to Virgil van Dijk’s equaliser against Arsenal. The second was more special, the right-back as a quarterback, with the long-range ball that allowed Darwin Nunez to tee up Mohamed Salah for Liverpool’s second leveller. It was not quite as spectacular as the 70-yard pass for Salah’s Anfield goal against Arsenal last season. It was nevertheless further evidence of a rare ability.
And yet his part in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal may not have been the most notable element of his day. An interview that was aired was notable for his extraordinary ambition. Alexander-Arnold declared he wanted to be remembered as a “legend of the game” and the “greatest right-back to play football”. He wants, he said, to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or.
