Trent Alexander-Arnold’s memories of Liverpool’s encounters with Chelsea date back to his childhood when he watched one of the most famous matchups between the two clubs.
The right-back has enjoyed recent successes against the Blues, including victories in the UEFA Super Cup, Carabao Cup, and Emirates FA Cup finals.
However, the first memory that comes to Alexander-Arnold’s mind when reflecting on this fixture is his experience as a six-year-old supporter.
He recalls the unforgettable moment when Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool defeated Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at Anfield in the Champions League semi-finals, a victory that propelled them to the final in Istanbul against AC Milan, where they would go on to make history.
“My favourite one would have to be the semi-final in 2005,” Alexander-Arnold told Liverpoolfc.com of his fondest match between the two teams.
“There’s been a few.
“Liverpool and Chelsea have always had really good games.
“I’ve played in a lot of really good matches against Chelsea as well.
“I’m probably just living it through memory now [the 2005 Champions League meeting]…
“I’ve watched the full game back once.
“I like to do that just to get a feel for what it would’ve been like.
“It was an incredible game.
“I think you had two really good managers, legendary managers coaching both sides, and then legends on the pitch.
“They were always bound to be super-tough games and amazing for viewers and tough battles.
“That’s what I grew up remembering Liverpool versus Chelsea as – Chelsea were always the team that were in and around the league [title], and we were a team that was always tough to beat, so to beat them and to go onto a Champions League final was a special thing.”
Among Trent Alexander-Arnold’s notable performances against Chelsea are his contributions in the domestic cup finals, where he scored in both penalty shootouts in 2022.
He returned to Wembley in February, this time in a watching role, as he witnessed an injury-hit and youthful Liverpool squad defeat the Londoners once again in a thrilling extra-time victory.
“It’s probably the trophies that we’ve won against them,” he said of his best memories as a player.
“I think in the 2022 season with the cup finals going to penalties and winning them both.
“I think scoring at Stamford Bridge [in 2019] is one for me as well. Obviously it’s an iconic stadium growing up, seeing it and seeing legends play there, it was always an iconic stadium I wanted to play in.
“Being able to go there and score and get the win was a big moment for me.”
Liverpool will don special-edition shirts featuring the ‘Futuremakers by Standard Chartered’ logo for their upcoming Premier League clash against Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday.
Futuremakers is a Standard Chartered initiative designed to empower underserved young people worldwide, equipping them with skills to enhance their job prospects or start their own businesses.
As a proud Scouser and a local talent, Alexander-Arnold embodies the hopes and dreams of the fans in the stands.
He has embraced the role of representing his community on the pitch, a distinction he has come to cherish.
“At first it’s quite intimidating because so many people are watching you and so many people are wanting to see what you’re doing and emulate what you’re doing,” he said.
“But you get to a point where you embrace it and use it as motivation, I think.
“Growing up I had idols like Stevie G [Steven Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragher] who, not their message directly to me, but the careers themselves and being from the city and going through the Academy system made it possible.
“In my mind it was like, ‘If they can do it, why can’t I?’
“They’ve probably played on the same fields as I have.
“They were doing the same things in the Academy and they came through the same system and were able to achieve it.
“So, if I’ve got enough discipline, hard work and talent then why can’t I go and do that?
“I think that’s something that sticks with me a lot of the time.
“It’s sometimes the reason why I push myself to show people if you’re willing to work hard enough that anything is possible.
“That’s something that is firmly in my mind, if you do think it, you can do it, but it’ll take hard work.
“But if you’re willing to put that in you can do and achieve any dream you want.”
On why he sees community work as so important, he added: “The next generation is the future.
“I want them to have a bright future and give them opportunities.
“I think that’s vitally important and make it easier to go and achieve what they want to achieve.”
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