Live

Repeat: OTB Breakfast

12:00 AM-02:00 AM

Repeat: OTB Breakfast
Advertisement
Soccer

Trent Alexander Arnold 'has the Steven Gerrard vibe' | Caoimhe O'Neill

Trent Alexander Arnold captained Liverpool for the first time last night for their 1-1 Champions ...



Trent Alexander Arnold 'has th...
Soccer

Trent Alexander Arnold 'has the Steven Gerrard vibe' | Caoimhe O'Neill

Trent Alexander Arnold captained Liverpool for the first time last night for their 1-1 Champions League draw with Midtjylland, but can he become Jordan Henderson's long-term replacement as leader of the club?

The Athletic's Caoimhe O'Neill joined Nathan and Tommy on this morning's OTB AM to discuss the rise of the 22-year-old defender, and whether he can follow in the footsteps of arguably the club's greatest ever player?

"It's got a bit of a Steven Gerrard vibe to it, hasn't it?

"You saw him with the armband last night, and you did feel can he be the Steven Gerrard-type, where Houllier gave Gerrard the captain's armband over Hyypia. He was very young when that happened.

"Alexander Arnold - for what he's achieved at the club - he's the world's best right back, proved that for the past couple of seasons, he's a Champions League winner, a Premier League winner, the youngest player to appear in back to back Champions League finals. There's so many record he already holds, but to wear that captain's armband would be a massive honour for himself, his family.

"It's something he's obviously dreamed of, he's mentioned it in interviews in the past, that's what he's working towards and obviously he's achieved so much, so what can his goals be? They've got to be massive still, but I think captaining Liverpool would be the next thing for him.

"Obviously Jordan Henderson is doing ab fantastic job there, you've got James Milner there as vice-captain, but obviously these players are getting older.

Trent Alexander Arnold | Leads by doing

"Is there a better passer or crosser from that range in world football at the moment? I'm not sure. He returned to fitness against Wolves and as soon as he came on he pinged a pass right on the money, which Salah and Mane were queuing up to get on the end of.

"He leads by example which is the best way a leader can lead, just by performance and energy.

"We speak about him as those he's a 25 or 26-year-old, but he's just turned 22, he's a young lad still and the confidence he has is immeasurable and the skill as well."

Caoimhin Kelleher | The defacto 2?

Cork's Caoimhin Kelleher started yet again in goals last night for Liverpool, as Alisson continues to egde closer to fitness.

The 22-year-old has been between the sticks for the last three games, conceding his first goal of this block in last night's draw.

Caoimhe O'Neill says the Irish under 21 international has always been big favourite amongst the coaches, and has now edged past Adrian as the club's backup to Alisson.

"The most exciting thing about Kelleher is he's been training with the world's best goalkeeper in Alisson for a while now. He's a young player who's been at training with the first team for a long time, so he's been learning and developing in that way.

"Everything coming out of the club from his coaches has always been positive. They've always been really positive about him and always said that he's a great goalkeeper. I think mainly that he can pass with both feet which is a quality you search for in a goalkeeper.

"With Alisson out there was maybe a worry pre-match before he started in the first game, but he's quickly becoming a keeper who - as a fan- you don't watch and are concerned or worried. That's almost an Alisson trait.

"He's now Liverpool's unrivalled number two to Alisson, he's overtaken Adrian who you have more a concern about when he plays because he's not as technically gifted. I just think you Irish should be very excited."

Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!

Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.


Read more about

Caoimhe O'Neill Caoimhin Kelleher Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Trent Alexander-Arnold