2016-17 pundits' picks: Young Player of the Season
Next up, we're looking at which of our burgeoning youngsters was most impressive over the course of 2016-17, with several once again making the step up to first-team level under Jürgen Klopp…
Chris Bascombe: Trent Alexander-Arnold. He made his first Premier League start at Old Trafford and did so well. He just looks a real prospect and I think everyone is expecting certainly over the next two years that he will emerge as a first-team player, barring any bad luck with injuries. Liverpool have waited a long time for an Academy player to not just break in the team but stay there, and I think Trent could do that.
Melissa Reddy: Trent Alexander-Arnold may have only made 12 appearances for the first team in 2016-17, but displayed enough in these outings to prove Pep Lijnders’ assertion correct – he was ‘born to be a footballer’. To get a first Premier League start as an 18-year-old against Manchester United at Old Trafford is a daunting prospect, but he handled it with aplomb as he navigated through a tricky opening spell to settle solidly. Having spoken to staff at both Kirkby and Melwood about Alexander-Arnold, as well as getting the opportunity to interview the teenager, there is no doubt a glowing future lies ahead for him. I am thoroughly looking forward to charting his rise.
Gareth Roberts: It’s been a breakthrough season for Trent Alexander-Arnold and it’s fantastic to see a Liverpool lad in and around the first team. Given that he was tipped to come in and play midfield, it’s hugely to his credit that he’s performed so well mostly in defence in a position that is relatively new to him.
Steve Hunter: Trent Alexander-Arnold. To go straight into the first-team squad from Neil Critchley’s U18s side and not look out of place tells you everything you need to know about this lad. He has a burning desire to succeed and is maturing into an exceptional attacking right-back. He is also very humble and knows what it takes to succeed.
Jan Molby: That’s a difficult one because who do you class as a young player? I don’t believe a young player is necessarily someone who is in the first team because you look at the likes of Emre Can and Divock Origi and they are young players. I think we have got a lot of quality exciting young kids who we all hope will one day be somewhere around the first team. If I had to put my house on one of them making that full breakthrough it would be Trent Alexander-Arnold so he gets my vote here. He also looks versatile and I think he can play in a number of positions.
David Fairclough: Trent Alexander-Arnold. If you look at the way he broke into the first-team squad and looked the part and wasn’t over-fazed. His attitude is great, I love the ambition he has to one day captain Liverpool. It’s a rare comment these days, lads stating they want to play for their boyhood team.
Roy Evans: The one that is quite interesting is Trent Alexander-Arnold. Out of all the young lads that have come into the team I think Trent has shown a lot of promise. Obviously he has still got room for quite a bit of improvement but if he does that he could be a real player.
Matt Smith: I’m tempted to say Trent Alexander-Arnold but overall I’m going to give it to Emre Can. Whether at the age of 23 he still qualifies for this I’m not sure, but Emre is really growing into his role at Liverpool. For a player still pretty young although quite experienced I think he is starting to become a permanent fixture, which people have doubted, and hopefully fewer and fewer people would doubt that now.