Alexander-Arnold: It was mad when you have 7 players on Ballon d'Or list

  /  Rick

The remarkable trajectory of the England international's career path was perhaps hammered home to those outside the Anfield bubble with Alexander-Arnold's recent nomination on the 30-man shortlist for the Ballon d'Or.

As many as seven Reds stars were named on the prestigious list ahead of a glitzy ceremony in Paris on December 2, with Virgil van Dijk the current frontrunner for the European champions. The 21-year-old is the first Academy graduate to play his way into contention for such an honour since Gerrard a decade ago.

"It was mad!" he reflects so matter-of-fact on the nomination. "Obviously it was a dream come true and it is something you never think will happen.

"It's not very often defenders are in and around the 30-man shortlist, but it is something I am proud of and hopefully I will be there a few more times. It is showing me that I am doing things right and I just need to keep performing the way I am."

Alexander-Arnold has never hidden away, batted down or shirked questions about his long-term Liverpool ambition of one day captaining the club he has supported all his life. That ambition is burning brighter than ever as he prepares to tick the centurion box this weekend.

"I have never been shy about the fact that I would love to captain the club one day," he admits. "Obviously, it is not my decision if I will or won't and it won't affect my mindset and willingness to play for the club, but that is a dream of mine, just like playing the first-ever game was. Hopefully I am able to achieve that one day."

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