When requested if he would like to win the Ballon d’Or or take over as Liverpool captain, Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s response was not what many followers would hope.
Alexander-Arnold is one in every of – if not the – greatest gamers in his place in world soccer, and lays declare to being one of many most interesting to ever play at right-back.
That makes Liverpool tying him all the way down to a brand new long-term contract of paramount significance, as regardless of the standard of Conor Bradley in reserve, there isn’t any changing the No. 66.
There are nonetheless doubts over whether or not Alexander-Arnold will commit his future to the membership, significantly with Actual Madrid lurking, and his newest feedback might be a priority.
In an interview with Sky Sports activities’ Harriet Prior, the 26-year-old was requested to select of 4 choices for what he would most like to realize in his profession.
The choices had been: win one other Champions League; win the Ballon d’Or; turn into Liverpool captain; or win a trophy for England.
“[It’s a dream], however I’ve already captained Liverpool. Technically I’ve already captained Liverpool,” he replied.
“I imply, I’d wish to be Liverpool captain, but it surely’s not my choice, so that may’t actually be in [consideration here].
“Win a World Cup with England, that might change the sport, [but] I’d say win a Ballon d’Or. For certain. As a result of I imagine I can.
“I wish to be the primary full-back to ever do it.”
Alexander-Arnold has lengthy maintained that his dream was to be Liverpool captain, so how rapidly he forged that choice apart might be a fear given the present scenario.
Nevertheless, there’s additionally a way that, having achieved every little thing he already has, the playmaker has merely set his sights larger – and that would nonetheless come at Anfield.
“I mentioned it in that interview once I was with England, it’s solely the day after your retire, you’re capable of look your self within the mirror and say ‘I gave it every little thing I’ve bought’,” he added.
“It doesn’t matter what number of trophies you win, it doesn’t matter what number of medals you’ve bought; it issues about what you’ve given to the sport and in the event you’ve reached your full potential.
“I’ve heard ‘potential’ being thrown round my identify since I used to be six.
“Bought the potential to do that, bought the potential to do this, after which grow old, he’s bought the potential to be a first-team participant, bought the potential to play for England, bought the potential to be a captain, be a vice-captain.
“When you attain that potential and you’ve hit that potential and also you’ve given it every little thing to maximise that potential, and be the participant that you just imagine you will be – which is likely one of the greatest ever – then you definately’ll be pleased.
“It doesn’t matter what number of trophies you win, I assume.
“I imagine [I can win the Ballon d’Or], some individuals could name me deluded, however I imagine I can.”
Alexander-Arnold has clearly put the onus on Liverpool to persuade him that he can cement his standing as the very best ever with the membership, slightly than elsewhere – and within the context of the Ballon d’Or that would in fact be a difficulty.
Twelve of the final 14 Ballon d’Ors have gone to gamers in LaLiga, with the opposite two awarded to Lionel Messi whereas at Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami.
It may come all the way down to the general success of Arne Slot‘s Liverpool, then, and the broader recognition of Alexander-Arnold’s function in that.
“[I want to be seen as] a legend of soccer, somebody who modified the sport, that’s a mantra that I’ve: don’t play the sport, change the sport,” he continued.
“So I simply need that legacy of being most likely the best right-back to ever play soccer, if I’m sincere.
“I do know that there’s been many on the market, however I’ve bought to achieve for the celebs. That’s the place I imagine my ceiling can go.”
