'World-class': Accrington boss Doolan names the 'outstanding young talent' he coached in Liverpool's academy
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Liverpool and Accrington Stanley are set to lock horns in an FA Cup third-round tie at Anfield tomorrow.
A game against the League Two side might be just another FA Cup clash for the Reds, but for the minnows, it could potentially be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to rub shoulders with the best in the business.
Arne Slot has lost just twice as Liverpool manager so far and will look to return to winning ways after the 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been in the news a fair bit in recent weeks and featured as a substitute against Spurs.
He has been with Liverpool since a young boy, and Accrington coach John Doolan has made an interesting claim on his initial position, having coached him in the academy.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was initially a centre-forward for Liverpool
Since making his debut in 2016, Alexander-Arnold has risen through the ranks to become one of the most unique players in world football.
His set-piece ability and crossing need no introduction, while the defensive side of his game has improved since Slot’s arrival.
Doolan was a coach at the Liverpool academy back in the day and claims Alexander-Arnolds started his career as a centre-forward, having also played as a centre-back as the years went by.
"He was an outstanding young talent,” said Doolan at a press conference ahead of the game against Liverpool.
“At 6, he was a centre forward – you could see the ability he had then. He could score with both feet and just glide past players. Look how he's turned out!
“At some point, he was playing centre back, which I was surprised at, but he didn't look out of place playing there and obviously he's playing right back now and has developed unbelievably. He's a world-class player."
Alexander-Arnold unlikely to feature tomorrow
Alexander-Arnold continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid as his Liverpool future very much hangs in the balance.
The Reds are in talks to tie him down to a new deal and will look to resolve the saga at the earliest to avoid it from spilling into the business end of the campaign.
The 26-year-old has featured heavily under Slot but is unlikely to play tomorrow, with Conor Bradley expected to keep his place in the team after starting against Tottenham.
Most of Liverpool’s big guns – like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah – are expected to be rested, so expect a much-changed XI from Slot tomorrow.
