It isn't just on the pitch where Trent Alexander Arnold inspires a generation.
At 23 years of age, Liverpool ’s England right-back is already supremely successful, having lifted the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, League Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup. While success could easily go to the heads of others, however, grounded Alexander-Arnold still lives at home with his dad Michael and his mum Dianne.
Family is everything to the right-back who remains a key component in one of the best teams in the world. Alexander-Arnold, a scorer against Manchester City in last week’s Community Shield, has drawn tributes from the likes of Messi and the legendary Cafu during his short career.
But last season’s second-highest assist maker in the Premier League still continues to shun the glitz and the glamour in favour of doing the dishes and living his life right in order to scale even higher heights.
“I always think young players rush things,” he said. “You start getting paid some money and stuff like that and young players think, the first thing is to move out, get a new car, stuff like that.
“But then the environment is just not the same. When you're living at home, you’ve got your parents to keep you in line and make sure things are clean and tidy.
“The dishes aren't stacking up and you're going home to a nice, clean environment and things like that. Whereas living on your own? Breakfast and dinner, you just think: 'I'll do that later.' So I've never felt a rush to leave home. I've always had the right messages.”
Family is everything to Alexander-Arnold whose older brother and manager Tyler is shaping the career of one of the biggest young talents in the game. “I've just always enjoyed having family around me,” he added.
“They've kept my feet on the ground and pushed me to the levels that I've got so far. So I don't think there's any rush for me to make a decision on leaving home.”
Since making his professional debut in 2016, Trent - who has another brother, Marcell - has blossomed into one of the most dynamic, attacking fullbacks in the world. He was crucial in helping Liverpool to their first title in 30 years in 2020.
Now he wants to follow that up and, in doing so, add an element to his game that new £84million striker Darwin Nunez can feast on.
“One part of me wants to be the highest assist-maker in the league every season,” Alexander-Arnold continued. “But an assist relies on people converting the chance. So my thinking is also: if I can be the top chance creator then that is solely on me. That’s in my mind as well going into the new season.”
All this from a local boy who would peer through the cracks of the fence at the old Melwood training ground to catch a glimpse of his idols, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
Now Trent intends to make his own mark for the senior team by once again helping to dethrone City. But he believes Pep Guardiola’s side will not be the only formidable outfit Liverpool will have to see off this season.
“I think the other teams will get closer,” he said. “The likes of Tottenham, Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are all strengthening. There are world class managers everywhere in the league too. The aim is obviously to win the league. But I think this year could be the one of the hardest ones to win because of the level of opposition. It’s gone up another level once again.”
