As Trent Alexander-Arnold revelled in one of the greatest victories in Liverpool’s famed footballing history, he said the Reds would be the world’s best team if prizes were dependent on character.
But they are not.
It is why the local hero wants a trophy outcome after a memorable campaign that included the stunning win over Barcelona that sealed an all-English Champions League final meeting with Tottenham – and has left them still in with a chance of the Premier League title on today’s final day.
Liverpool need to overcome Wolves at Anfield and hope Manchester City, leaders by one point, fail to get victory at Brighton.
After the midweek miracle on Merseyside, the Reds – beaten just once in the league by City – and right back Alexander-Arnold will not give up hope.
As a Kop fan growing up in West Derby, the 20-year-old admits not even reaching a second successive Champions League final will soften the blow of being unable to bring a top-flight championship to the club for the first time since 1990.
“No I think it will still hurt massively,” he said. “We put so much into the Premier League.
“Thinking back to the round of 16 against Bayern, I think people were maybe saying it would be best for us to maybe just dismiss the Champions League and focus on the Premier League.
“But we showed we can focus on both. Both competitions are massive for us.
“I think it’s just that extraordinary season where I think if this is any other year we would have probably won it (the league), barring last season obviously when City got so many points again.
The young right-back is having a terrific season for Liverpool.
“We’ll learn from it, but we won’t look back and have regrets because we’ve been beat once this season and the draws that we picked up are mostly away games.
“In previous years you can afford to pick up them. You’re kinda glad if you’re going to Everton and Man Utd and picking up a point because those are tough places to go.
“But it just shows the nature of the Premier League now and just how good us and Man City have been to push each other and make results like that not really good enough.
“It is what it is. We’re not going to look back and regret it. We’ve got to take it and use it next year.
“If you look at the points and all the progress we made since the gaffer came in a few years back they point to the fact that each year we’re getting better as a team we’re doing better in the league and we’re reaching finals.
“So this season, we’ll be able to use it as motivation, look back at it and learn from it and get better next season.”
Ingenious from @trentaa98. 👌
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 10, 2019
Brilliant from Divock. 🔥
The goal that clinched us the tie... from EVERY angle. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/Jqc1QV2J7L
Like many Liverpool fans, Alexander-Arnold is yearning for a return to the glory years when the club dominated English football and won the European Cup five times.
The magnificent 4-0 win in the second leg over Barcelona, which saw them wipe out the three-goal advantage of the Spanish champions will help.
Alexander-Arnold set up Divock Origi for the decisive strike using instinct and intelligence at a corner as the Barca defence switched off. He said he had watched others do it and would have been “shouted at” if it had gone wrong.
“It was worth the risk,” added the England international, whose side were without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino against Barca and lost left back Andrew Robertson at half time to injury.
Alexander-Arnold was excellent in the comeback win over Barcelona.
“We showed that we’ve beaten one of, if not, the best team in the world 4-0 when the odds were against us.
“I think it’s a massive statement for us as a club to show that we’re doing these sort of things.
“I’m sure people have respect for us already but I’m sure that’s taken us to the next level.
“We’ve shown the world-class nature of our team. And with two of our main players injured as well and with Robbo going off at half time, which was a blow for us.
“It just shows the character we have in the team. And if it was down to character we’d probably be the best team in the world.
“I think we showed that in the Champions League last season, where we’d been underdogs in many games.
“We’re showing that we are brave and a really good side and a team to be feared and that’s the main thing.
“It’s important for the club to be back amongst the best in Europe and in the world and that’s what we’re trying to achieve, to create a team that is feared throughout world football. We’re not too far away from doing that.
“I think silverware defines where you stand in terms of rankings. So the main thing for us is to go to the final and go that one step further than last year.
“I think it shows the signs of progression for us in terms of reaching the last day of the season and still being in the title race and reaching the Champions League final.
“It shows that we’re able to compete on both fronts and take it to the very end. We’ll be looking to hope for the best on Sunday and see what happens come the final.”
