Real Madrid: Young Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold excited to face Cristiano Ronaldo
By Ben Sundock
19-year-old Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a revelation this season for manager Jurgen Klopp. After playing just seven matches in the Premier League last season, the English international has nearly tripled that number in 2017/2018.
Whether it is confidence or cockiness, TAA is ready to face one of the best forwards in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo. With the Champions League Final in Ukraine just 10 days away, the fullback voiced his excitement in facing Cristiano and Real Madrid.
"Real Madrid are a very strong team,” he said talking with OneFootball. “No matter who you’re going to play against it’s going to be one of the best players in the world because that’s the nature of the team they have.”“With Ronaldo being one of the greats, probably one of the best players ever, it’s going to be an honor to hopefully play against him. I’m looking forward to it.”"
Alexander-Arnold is likely to start the final after starting both legs of the semifinal against AS Roma where he put in good shifts against a decent attack. The Liverpool manager has put a ton of trust in his very promising defender having started him in eight UCL matches, playing 731 minutes and averaging a 7.19 match rating.
In the second-leg of the semis in Rome, Trent struggled to contain the pace of Stephan el-Shaarawy and Eden Dzeko down the left flank. Known for his tackling and intercepting abilities, Alexander-Arnold struggled to win the ball and passed at a woeful 56 percent for the match.
Cristiano Ronaldo has missed the last two league matches for Los Blancos, but returned to training with the full squad yesterday. There is little doubt that both he and Dani Carvajal will be back in the starting lineup for the Final on May 26th.
While Tren Alexander-Arnold has been impressive all year for The Reds, he needs to remember that he is facing a man who has been playing on the senior level for nearly as long as he has been alive.
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CR7 began his youth career with CF Andorinha in 1992 and made his senior debut on October 7, 2002, with Sporting CP. Alexander-Arnold turned four on that same day.
With the talent Real has in their forward line and midfield, the right-back does not have the luxury of just focusing on Cristiano. He must also deal with the pace of Marcelo and the movement from the midfielders.