Trent Alexander Arnold: Player Profile | Playing Style | Premier League Stats | Assists

In the below article, Sportco will give an in-depth analysis of Trent Alexander Arnold and his development into an elite player. 

Trent Alexander Arnold: Bio 

Born on 7th October 1998 in West Derby, Liverpool, Trent Alexander Arnold embarked his football journey at a very young age. 

When Liverpool held a half-term camp where many pupils from schools were invited, but Arnold was different among others and caught the coach's eye. Ian Barrigan, the coach at the camp offered him to join the academy.

Trent Alexander Arnold went on board and started training at the academy. As he matured he was given captaincy armband of the U16 and U18 Liverpool team. 

During his academy time, Trent played in various positions before settling as a right-back and excelling in that position. His speedy growth into an elite player saw him getting a call from Brendan Rogers for the senior club.

Trent Alexander Arnold made his debut in a 2-1 win over Tottenham and subsequently extended his contract with the club. 

In a 2-0 win over Leeds United, Trent was awarded Man of the Match after his heroic performance, where he registered an assist. 

The young Englishman finally made his Premier League debut on 14th December against Middlesbrough. On 12th May 2017, he was named in Liverpool Young Player of the Season award after his wonderful display.

2017-18 Champions League Final: 

Trent Alexander Arnold became first-choice right-back after regular right-back Clyne who picked up a back injury. 

The 2017-18 season saw Trent bursting onto the scene. He scored his first goal from a free kick in a Champions League play-off match against Hoffenheim, making him the third-youngest player of Liverpool to score in a European match after Michael Owen and David Fairclough. 

However, there were a few setbacks, but Trent Alexander Arnold made his position permanent and saw him getting praise from the media. 

His performance against Manchester City in the UCL quarter-final, where he kept Leroy Sane quiet for most parts of the match, heaped praise and was named Man of the match as Liverpool dispatched City 3-0.   

His consistency saw him getting consecutive young player of the year award. After reaching the UCL final in 2017-18, Trent Alex-Arnold was the youngest player to start for Liverpool in a champions league final. 

2018-19 Champions League glory and the 'Famous Assist' vs Barca 

Alexander Arnold made his 50th appearance against Tottenham in a 2-1 victory for Liverpool in the 2018-19 season. 

His performance and value sky-rocketed as he was nominated for many awards that season. However, Arnold maintained his burgeoning reputation and kept delivering for Liverpool. 

Trent Alexander Arnold became the youngest player to record a hattrick of assists on 27th February 2019. 

His performance saw him getting nominated for the PFA Young Player of the year award. The 23-year-old kept chalking up assist after assists equalling the Premier League record for the most assists by a defender in a season (11). 

In the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, Liverpool lost first-leg by 3-0 but made an epic comeback at Anfield where Alexander Arnold provided two assists, including a quickly taken corner which resulted in a winning goal for Liverpool as they won 4-3 against Barcelona.

In the season's final match, Trent broke the record of most Premier League assist by a defender after surpassing previous holders Andy Hinchcliffe, Leighton Baines and Andy Robertson (12). 

Liverpool reached consecutive finals of UCL, and Alexander Arnold became the youngest player to play two successive finals breaking the record of A.C. Milan's Christian Panucci in 1995. 

2019-2020 Premier League Title and Covid-19:

The Right-back cemented his legacy as a Liverpool player and continued his fine form the following season. His assist in the 2019-20 season-opening game made him the 8th Premier League player to assist in five consecutive games. His spectacular performance saw him getting his name on Ballon d'Or top 30 players list. 

On 2nd November the 23-year-old made a century of appearances and then featured in club World Cup providing a match-winning assist to Roberto Firmino in the semi-final, a 2-1 win over Monterrey. 

He later played the entire 120 minutes in the final as Liverpool won the Club World Cup for the first time in their history. 

During the 2019-20 season, the club was competing for the title, and were 40-matches unbeaten. The English Man kept breaking records after records as he became the first defender in competition history to reach double-figure for assists in many campaigns. He extended his assist tally to 24, becoming the third-youngest player to reach the mark after Fabregas and Rooney.     

By April, the matches were suspended due to the Covid-19 outbreak following the end of the season, Liverpool cliched the title after 30-years, and Alexander Arnold played a starring role. 

2020-2021 and 2021-22 season:

Alexander Arnold attained more career milestones and maintained his impressive form. However, there were many controversies after his omission from the England team and his error in the Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid, which led to the elimination of Liverpool. 

But he paid back after masterclass performances against Arsenal and Manchester United. He registered back-to-back assists and led the club to a fourth-place finish after his assist to Alisson Becker in the 94th minute against Wolves. And Liverpool qualified for the Champions League. 

In the 2021-22 season, the right-back extended his contract and has started the season impressively. 

Trent Alexander Arnold: International Career 

Alexander Arnold made his senior debut on 28th June in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in a 1-0 defeat by Belgium, although both the teams were qualified for the knockout stages. The right-back scored his first senior goal in a friendly game against the United States. 

In doing so, he became the youngest Liverpool player after Michael Owen to score for the national side. 

Trent Alexander Arnold: Premier League career stats 

Trent Alexander Arnold: All-Time Stats

Trent Alexander Arnold: Playing style

The 23-years-old has been lauded for his stellar defensive skills as a right-back and is one of the best-attacking full-backs in football. His attacking talents on the pitch help him create goalscoring chances for the teammates. 

Throughout his playing career, he has provided copious of assists. He has been regarded most creative player with his Beckham-esque crosses and set-pieces. Alexander Arnold possesses excellent vision, which helps him pick up players from anywhere. 

He is a dead-ball specialist, as he has the style of taking free-kicks which involves three parallel steps backward and one to the right, which is linked to the former rugby union fly-half, Jonny Wilkinson. His match-winning assist against Barcelona in the second leg was applauded as he used his craft and intelligence when the opponents turned their back.  

Trent Alexander Arnold: Major Honours 

Liverpool Young player of the year: 2016-17, 2017-18

PFA Young Player of the year: 2018-19

Premier League Young Player of the year: 2019-20

FIFA FIFPRo World11: 2020

UEFA Team of the year: 2019