Trent Alexander-Arnold serenades Anfield with performance of artistry and class
Trent Alexander-Arnold serenades Anfield with performance of artistry and class
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Liverpool 4-0 Accrington Stanley: With his future still in doubt the 26-year-old right-back gave a reminder of why Real Madrid want to sign him. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future is likelier to involve Real Madrid than Accrington Stanley. The Bernabeu may prove his new home but he might forever remain a stranger to the Wham Stadium. Accrington could not quite emulate Carlo Ancelotti’s team, losing 4-0 at Anfield, where the Champions League holders went down 2-0, but they got a glimpse of the class that prompted Real to make an approach for Alexander-Arnold last month.
![[Diogo Jota finished off a slick counter-attack to send Liverpool into the lead]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/12/2025-01-11T124631Z_1516707928_UP1EL1B0ZHIRT_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LIV-ACC-REPORT.jpg)
A shot from 20 yards was whipped, bent, measured and caressed, designed to nestle in the top corner of the net. “I could talk for hours about that,” said Arne Slot, “Unbelievable.” And perhaps cruel for Accrington’s manager, John Doolan, who coached Alexander-Arnold when he was six or seven and surprised when the right-back remembered and approached him after the final whistle. “He is such a such a wonderful and humble guy,” he said. “To do that shows the class he has.”.
![[Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike was too good for Billy Crellin and gave the Liverpool captain some much-needed confidence]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/13/9c4fc4bd-2e37-49b1-80e2-b7a8d7efc159.jpg)
Accrington, it is safe to say, did not have to face such quality when their FA Cup run began against Rushall Olympic. Predictably, it ended at Anfield. If the team from the depths of League Two were surprised to see Alexander-Arnold’s name on a teamsheet designed to avert a shock, they can at least testify to the artistry of the right-back who wants to win the Ballon d’Or.
![[Jayden Danns came off the bench to add a third goal]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/14/2025-01-11T135035Z_156978920_UP1EL1B12G9UN_RTRMADP_3_SOCCER-ENGLAND-LIV-ACC-REPORT.jpg)
Last week illustrated what he sometimes can’t do, even if his defensive deficiencies can be exaggerated and his good days be overshadowed by the bad. This was a demonstration of what he can do: strike a ball better than almost anyone else currently playing.
![[Federico Chiesa scored his first ever goal for Liverpool in stoppage time]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/11/14/6e6b0858-f076-499c-8e37-912564c32d76.jpg)
