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.
Bu hikaye FourFourTwo UK dergisinin April 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye FourFourTwo UK dergisinin April 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Over the Top with Brian Clough - The legendary former Derby and Nottingham Forest manager was a columnist for FourFourTwo from 2001 until his death in 2004 at the age of 69 - not all of his forecasts came true, though he was never short of an opinion...
The legendary former Derby and Nottingham Forest manager was a columnist for FourFourTwo from 2001 until his death in 2004 at the age of 69 - not all of his forecasts came true, though he was never short of an opinion...
"THE PLAYERS DIDN'T SEE KEVIN KEEGAN'S 'MELTDOWN' AS ANYTHING NEGATIVE. WE LOVED HIM FOR HIS PASSION"
The Geordie recalls King Kev's rant, shares his love for Ossie Ardiles and reveals what it's like to cross the Tyne-Wear divide
"HODDLE HAD BEEN PLAYING FOR MONACO UNDER WENGER, SO WE COULDN'T BELIEVE IT WHEN HE JOINED SWINDON HE WAS LIGHT-YEARS AHEAD!"
The tireless winger opens up on playing in his dad's shadow and making the wrong kind of headlines at Sunderland...
"I'M PROUD TO BE THE FIRST AFRICAN IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE - BUT LOOK WHO CAME LATER"
FFT chats to the three Boy's A Bit Special stars of Issue 1: first, a humble hotshot on rejecting Arsenal and being 'Nuddy'
AROUND THE GROUNDS
Rangers' in-form keeper tells FFT he has his sights set on a Three Lions recall
WHY MESSI'S ARGENTINA HAD TO GET 'WORSE' TO CONQUER WORLD
The Albiceleste didn't have their most talented squad in 2022, and their star wasn't at his absolute peak - but 4-4-2 helped them to win anyway...
WHY 1999 WAS THE FINEST MOMENT FOR 4-4-2... AND SIR ALEX FERGUSON
Manchester United swept to a famous Treble thanks to the management skills of their legendary boss - and a formation that suited them perfectly
HOW THE 4-4-2 BECAME BRITISH FOOTBALL'S MOST ICONIC FORMATION
A system of playing inspired the name for this very magazine - on these shores, for numerous reasons, it's football heritage
FINDING DIEGO
A little over a year before his untimely death at the age of 60, Diego Maradona was managing Mexican second-tier side Dorados de Sinaloa - FourFourTwo went deep into drug cartel country to track him down
RESPECT
That's what women's football demands more than anything. Its status has grown exponentially during FourFourTwo's lifetime, but finally the long and arduous battle for recognition is starting to pay dividends