The 19-year-old fullback is expected to be Klopp’s first-choice option on the right side this season.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp (L) and fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold (Photo: Liverpool F.C./Twitter)
Liverpool were handed a major boost on Tuesday as England fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold reported back early for pre-season training to join the rest of the Reds squad at the training base in Evian, France.
The Reds have made a raft of solid signings this summer, effectively strengthening every department save defence.
At left-back, they have Andy Robertson and Alberto Moreno while on the opposite flank, they have Alexander-Arnold and Nathaniel Clyne competing for the starting spot.
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And with Clyne given paternity leave to attend to the birth of his son, the Reds were a little short of options at right-back, despite the fact that veteran midfielder James Milner can deputise there.
So that’s why many Reds fans were delighted to see Alexander-Arnold meet his teammates, some old and some new, in France and get a bear hug from the gregarious manager that is Klopp:
Another Red is back! 🔴
At the team hotel, @trentaa98 caught up with some familiar faces…and some new ones too. 🤝 pic.twitter.com/z2rQDDPkno
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 31, 2018
The 19-year-old defender, who can play in midfield as well, had a breakthrough 2017/18 campaign and was rewarded for his displays with a call up by Gareth Southgate for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
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With Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker ahead of him in the pecking order for the Three Lions, playing time in Russia was limited to just one game, but Reds fans are hopeful the young fullback can really cement his place in Klopp’s starting XI now.
Clyne’s struggled with injuries ever since his move from Southampton and is no longer the undisputed starter at right-back, but Alexander-Arnold’s positioning was found wanting at times last season.
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Capable of scoring a mean free-kick, the teenager is expected to start ahead of Clyne for the 2018/19 Premier League campaign as well and with age on his side, can only get better.
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