Trent Alexander Arnold and Virgil Van Dijk
Trent Alexander-Arnold has gushed over Curtis Jones impressive string of performances as the influence of the full-back on the 21-year-old was laid bare. Both the academy graduates were on the scoresheet as Jurgen Klopp’s side notched their seventh straight win in the 3-0 win over Leicester City to keep the pressure on the Champions League places. The 21-year-old bagged a double in just three minutes midway through the first-half as the Reds moved into a commanding lead over the relegation-threatened side. In recent games, both Alexander-Arnold and Jones have been rejuvenated in their roles within the team which has contributed to the late surge of form for Liverpool in the hunt to salvage the campaign.
Trent Alexander-Arnold said: “It’s not just been tonight. I think since he came into the team he’s a lad who would have wanted to play more throughout the whole season but he’s stepped up when he got his chance, and that’s all you can do. He’s shown his quality on and off the ball, and he’s definitely impressed everyone. He’s set standards for himself and we need to keep that as a team and for himself. There’s a level now he needs to hit every game, today was an outstanding night for him and it helped the team win the game.”
Jones scooped the Player of the Match award following his brace as the 24-year-old added a third late on with a blockbuster effort from a free-kick routine. The England U21 international added that he felt his display at the King Power Stadium was one of his best since breaking into the first-team.
Trent Alexander-Arnold said: “I think so, yeah, definitely. It was a game where we had the ball a lot, I scored two as well so that’s good but yeah, we got the three points and we keep going. It allows me to stay high, I want to score more and assist more so having him there, he’s a player who is calm on the ball, builds up well and plays forward a lot. It allows me to stay in between the lines, it’s working well so I hope it continues. I think I was out for 15 weeks, had a hard time, so now I’m back, amongst the team, I’m scoring goals and helping the team as well. I’m just trying to continue to help the team.”
