Liverpool star Trent-Alexander Arnold today opened up about the club’s iconic training ground Melwood.
Melwood has been the training home of Liverpool since the late 1950s and is a huge staple in the history of the club.
Located in West Derby, the club made the difficult decision to sell the facilities in 2017.
Trent, a boyhood Liverpool fan, has been with the club since 2004.
The mature right-back reminisced on his childhood memories of the training ground and admitted that it was his motivation from a young age.
“For me growing up, Melwood was the place I always wanted to get to,” he said during press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash at Atalanta.
“Being there (at Melwood), it’s a day to day basis.
“You would see the cars going past mine on Queens drive going into Melwood.”
The England youngster said the idea of becoming a regular at the facility was more exciting to him than Anfield.
“That was my motivation, Melwood, more than Anfield itself.
“I knew if I get to Melwood, it gives me an amazing chance.
“I always had a vision of what it would be like inside. Who would be in there? What were the staff like?
“It motivated me so much.”
Since his senior debut in 2016, at just 18, the ever-impressive 22-year-old has gone on to make his 100th Liverpool appearance against West Ham.
In that time, he has helped his team to lift the Champions League and the first-ever Premier League title for his favourite club.
“It’s a dream. Something I’m incredibly proud of.
“You can only dream of it as a kid, making 100 Premier League appearance.”
With the right-back spot nailed down so early on in his career, it’s hard to see much changing during his career.
With so much time ahead of him, the humble star recognises the chances afforded to him.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given.
“Without a lot of help along the way from a lot of people, I would never have been able to make it this far.”
It hasn’t all been a positive experience, however.
Liverpool have been mightily impressive for three seasons now.
But it was the 7-2 thrashing against Aston Villa which humbled the English champions.
“To concede seven goals was unacceptable. It humbled us as a team.
“It let us know we don’t just win because we are Liverpool.”
Since that day, Klopp’s men have won four and drawn one in all competitions.
“Our mentality is what has helped us the last few years and helped us break through walls and kick down doors.
“Since that game, we’ve been able to get back to that.”
Liverpool face a tough trip to Italian side Atalanta on tomorrow night (November 3).
The Italian side managed 95 goals in the league last season, the highest for 60 years.
Alexander-Arnold recognises the quality of opposition Liverpool are expecting.
“They’re an amazing team, and we saw that last year.
“It’s tough to pick one or two players out. That’s the reason why they’re so good and such an amazing attacking force.
“Italian teams are notoriously good defensively. Really well organised and hard to break down.
“It’s the first time we have faced Atalanta tomorrow.
“It’s something new and something we need to adjust to as soon as possible. I think tomorrow will be a good game.”
