Trent Alexander-Arnold was spotted joking with Fabio Carvalho in the tunnel after Saturday’s game at Anfield.
As seen on LFCTV’s Inside Anfield video, Trent laughed that Liverpool’s eighth goal of the day actually came off Carvalho’s shin.
“You know I’m talking about yours [Carvalho’s goal],” joked the 23-year-old. “It hit his shin pad! It came off his shin!”
“No it didn’t!” replied Carvalho as the two players made their way towards post-match press duties. It’s his first goal for the club, Trent, let him have it!
Trent growing into mentoring role for youngsters
Watching Carvalho’s goal back, there’s no way it comes off his shin. The 19-year-old is a clean striker of the ball. His first Liverpool goal was a good example of that.
Instead, Trent is just winding up his younger teammate, ensuring that his feet stay firmly on the ground.
It’s good to see Liverpool’s right-back step into this role in the team. Having now been a part of the first-team squad for the best part of six years, he’s no longer a youngster. Long seen as one of Liverpool’s key men on the pitch, he is starting to grow into his role off it, too.
Alexander-Arnold was voted into Liverpool’s leadership group last season after Gini Wijnaldum’s departure. Just twenty-two at the time, that gives some idea into his standing in the squad.
He’s previously spoken about another younger teammate, Ibrahima Konate, like a proud dad. The Scouser is also the best possible mentor for the youngsters coming through the academy.
That extends to youngsters coming into the club as well. As a result of his own rapid ascension, Trent will be aware of the kind of pressure players like Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho are under to perform.
As someone who’s been through that as a young player not too long ago, Jurgen Klopp will expect his no.66 to pass on his advice.
This isn’t evidence that Trent is doing that. But it does give an insight into the closeness he’s already cultivated with young Carvalho.
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