Trent Alexander-Arnold – Calm down! Calm down! Calm down!

There's been plenty of noise around Trent Alexander-Arnold's performances for club and country over the past 12 months, but the man himself has maintained a cool head. Donning a retro shellsuit for FFT, the Merseyside maestro insists he's still got lofty ambitions - none more so than becoming the best footballer on the planet...

- By Matthew Ketchell. Portraits by Nick Eagle

Sitting across the table from FourFourTwo, Trent Alexander-Arnold is silently, agonisingly looking for perfection. It’s six years since our last proper sit-down with him, and plenty has happened.

Back in early 2018, a teenage Trent was yet to collect his first England cap, but had officially installed himself into Liverpool’s first-team picture. It was a new status – one he was relishing, one he was desperate to hold on to and develop. Boy, has he.

During that chat in the Alexander-Arnold family home, FFT asked the young right-back where he saw himself in a few years’ time. His prediction was as accurate as one of his famous dead-ball deliveries: “Still at Liverpool – an important figure in a team that’s won a lot of silverware.”

If the first phase of his career as a Liverpool regular has been important, the second is crucial. You get the feeling he knows it. Now 25 and the Reds’ vice-captain, repeating the question ‘Where do you see yourself in a few years’ time?’ has sent Alexander-Arnold into deep, silent thought. He wants his reply to be as measured as one of his signature passes. He won’t be rushed. He’s stewing, searching for a big answer to a big question.

“Wow. Where will I be? Where will I be?” he quietly repeats to himself, before exhaling through pursed lips. FFT waits, as eager to hear his answer as we are to watch the next chapter of what has been a wondrous career.

SHANKLY, THEN TRENT

Stepping outside Liverpool Lime Street station into a blindingly bright but freezing morning, a 30ft tall image of Alexander-Arnold beams back at FFT from a giant advertising screen in crystal clear high definition.