InterviewTrent Alexander-Arnold's Chelsea memories: 'It was a big moment for me'

The Reds full-back has experienced successful recent occasions against the Blues himself, including victories in UEFA Super Cup, Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup finals.

But the first thought evoked by the fixture for Alexander-Arnold is being a supporter aged just six years old.

Then, Rafael Benitez’s Liverpool overcame Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea at Anfield in the final four of the Champions League, reaching the showpiece in Istanbul against AC Milan, where history would of course be made.

“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 Alexander-Arnold’s own highs versus Chelsea are those aforementioned domestic cup showpieces, with the No.66 netting in both penalty shootouts in 2022.

He was also at Wembley again in February, this time with another watching brief as he saw an injury-hit and youthful Reds squad overcome the Londoners once more in incredible fashion in extra-time.

“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 wear special-edition shirts featuring the ‘Futuremakers by Standard Chartered’ logo for Sunday’s latest clash between the clubs, a Premier League contest at Anfield.

Those jerseys will then be auctioned off for supporters to purchase at CharityStars.com/SCFM, with all proceeds going towards the Futuremakers initiative.

Futuremakers is a Standard Chartered programme that empowers underserved young people around the world to help shape their futures, teaching them skills to improve their chances of getting a job or starting their own business.

As a Scouser and a local lad providing a Merseyside presence on the pitch, Alexander-Arnold has carried the hopes and dreams of those in the stands as one of their own, a tag he has proudly now become accustomed to.

“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.”

• Visit CharityStars.com/SCFM to bid on match-worn shirts from Sunday's game, in support of 'Futuremakers by Standard Chartered'