“I'll be able to tell my kids and grandkids” - Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold names Reds teammate he is ‘honored’ to play with
Liverpool stars Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have been instrumental in the club's recent success. Ahead of their crucial clash with Arsenal in the Premier League, Alexander-Arnold took the opportunity to praise the Reds captain, saying he will one day be able to tell his kids and grandkids that he shared the pitch with a player of such caliber.
Alexander-Arnold joined the club’s academy at age six and made his senior debut under Jurgen Klopp in 2016. Since then, he has made over 300 appearances for the club. Van Dijk, on the other hand, joined Liverpool in 2018 for a then-record fee for a defender and has since become one of the best defenders in the world.
Together, the pair have been pivotal to Liverpool’s success, winning several trophies, including the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup, among others. They have shared the pitch 235 times, with Alexander-Arnold providing seven assists to Van Dijk in those games.
Alexander-Arnold reserved high praise for the Dutch international, describing Van Dijk as one of the best players he has ever played with.
"Virgil van Dijk’s leadership, he is an incredible leader and he is incredibly consistent and an amazing captain to the team. I think for me, he will go down as one of two or three best players I’ve ever played with, been able to share the pitch with," he told Sky Sports.
The 26-year-old further expressed how much of an honor it is to play alongside Van Dijk, noting that he is a player without any weaknesses in his game.
Every time I step on the pitch with him, it’s an honor. And It’s an honour that I’ll be able to tell my kids and grandkids that I was able to share the pitch with Virgil. Because for me, he is the only one who doesn’t really have a weakness in his game and that’s incredible,” he added (via GOAL).
The Liverpool faithful have indeed grown accustomed to the quality of these two players over the years. They have maintained their fine form under Arne Slot as well, but uncertainty about their futures looms, as both players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season.
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold confident he can win the Ballon d’Or
Trent Alexander-Arnold has previously expressed his ambition to win trophies consistently throughout his career. He has now taken this a step further, stating that his ultimate goal is to win the Ballon d’Or.
When asked to choose between winning another Champions League title, a trophy with England, becoming Liverpool captain, or winning the Ballon d’Or, the full-back picked the prestigious individual award above the others.
“Winning a World Cup with England – that would be immense and change the game, but I’d say win a Ballon d’Or, because I believe I can. I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. I believe it. Some people may call me deluded, but I believe I can,” he told Sky Sports (via Mirror).
The next few months will be crucial for both Liverpool and Alexander-Arnold, as his future hangs in balnce. Real Madrid have reportedly made him a priority target for next season, and the Liverpool star’s ambitions might be perfectly aligned in Spain, given the talent Los Blancos have at their disposal.