Alexander-Arnold shines as Reds dominate Accrington

Trent Alexander-Arnold's future is likelier to involve Real Madrid than Accrington Stanley.

- RICHARD JOLLY

The Bernabeu may prove to be his new home but he might forever remain a stranger to the Wham Stadium in Lancashire. Accrington could not quite emulate Carlo Ancelotti's team, losing 4-0 at Anfield, where the Champions League holders went down 2-0, but they got a glimpse of the class that prompted Real to make an approach for Alexander-Arnold last week.

A shot from 20 yards was whipped, bent, measured and caressed, designed to nestle in the top corner of the net. "I could talk for hours about that," said Liverpool's manager Arne Slot, "Unbelievable." And perhaps cruel for Accrington's manager, John Doolan, who coached Alexander-Arnold when he was six or seven and was surprised when the right-back remembered and approached him after the final whistle. "He is such a wonderful and humble guy," he said. "To do that shows the class he has." Accrington, it is safe to say, did not have to face such quality when their FA Cup run began against Rushall Olympic.

Predictably, it ended at Anfield. If the team from the depths of League Two were surprised to see Alexander-Arnold's name on a team sheet designed to avert a shock, they can at least testify to the artistry of the right-back who wants to win the Ballon d'Or.

Last week illustrated what he sometimes can't do, even if his defensive deficiencies can be exaggerated and his good days overshadowed by the bad. This was a demonstration of what he can do: strike a ball better than almost anyone else currently playing.