Football
Glenn Price, Liverpool correspondent 8y

Trent Alexander-Arnold hopeful of chance in Liverpool first team

BIRKENHEAD, England -- Liverpool youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold is hoping his frequent exposure to the first team will lead to a breakthrough at some point in the near future.

Alexander-Arnold excelled in this summer's preseason friendlies and went on tour with the first team to the United States.

The 18-year-old trains with the senior squad at Melwood on a regular basis and was on the bench at Emirates Stadium for the Premier League opener against Arsenal.

Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is willing to give youth a chance, with Ovie Ejaria the latest Liverpool youngster to make his first-team debut when he came on as a second-half substitute in the recent EFL Cup tie with Derby County.

"It's unbelievable," Alexander-Arnold told reporters after Liverpool under-23s' win over Sunderland on Sunday. "Every day just going in there and being around top-quality players and being around top-quality management as well.

"Everyday I'm learning something new and hopefully if I keep learning then I'll push further on and start trying to fight for places.

"All the players are really friendly with the young players because they've obviously been there one point in their career. I'd say the captain [Jordan] Henderson has taken us under his wing and spoke to us about how hard it's going to be, but then why were there because we're good enough to be there."

The England youth international mainly features at right-back for Liverpool's U23 side and says he is hoping to emulate teammate Nathaniel Clyne.

Alexander-Arnold feels Clyne is a perfect mentor to study from and believes the former Southampton defender is the best in the Premier League at what he does.

"I'm trying to watch him and learn how good is," Alexander-Arnold continued. "I think he is probably the best right-back in the league for me -- defensively and going forward. He's so consistent in everything he does.

"I want to still play the way I play but if I can learn things from him then I'll try and do that everyday."

The full-back, who has been with Liverpool's academy since the age of six, also has enough technical ability to have operated as a midfielder for the U18s side.

Alexander-Arnold admits he still does not know the position where his future lies but says he will place trust in the coaching staff to make the decision.

"I'm not sure," he added. "I like playing both positions and I can play both positions well. I will keep doing what I'm doing. "Wherever the manager wants me to play then I'll play, wherever he feels he can get the best out of me.

"I won't argue with him or question him because I know the decision will be the right one in the future."

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