Alexander-Arnold reveals he is set to shatter his pre-season assist target

Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has vowed to kick on after already surpassing the target for assists he set himself before the start of the season.

The 21-year-old has been one of the Reds’ most potent creative forces in the past two seasons and has drawn comparisons from Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville to Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne.

The England international notched 16 assists in all competitions last term but has stepped it up another level this time around, having laid on 14 goals already.

Indeed, the 12 of those that have come in the Premier League – including two in Monday’s defeat of West Ham – have meant Alexander-Arnold has matched his top-flight tally from last season.

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, however, the right-back insisted that he would not be slowing up in the search for continued self-improvement.

“I’m happy to help the team as much as possible,” he said. “That was my aim going into the season – to get over 10 again.

“And as the season’s went on, it’s been about trying to push the limits and try to break as many records as I can, try to push myself as far as I can, try to help the team as much as possible and get assists, goals and contributions.

“Obviously clean sheets first and foremost, but going forward I’ve tried to get as many assists as possible.

“I’ve equalled that record and now I’ll look to push on and try to break it.”

Liverpool need four wins from their final 11 league games to clinch the Premier League title, with Watford at Vicarage Road up next on Saturday.

The Reds beat Nigel Pearson’s side 2-0 at Anfield earlier in the season but had to work for the victory, with Mohamed Salah‘s brace proving decisive.

 

 

“Obviously we’re quite close but they’re four very tough games,” Alexander-Arnold said. “Anything can happen in the Premier League and we’ve learned that over the course of our time playing in it, it’s difficult for us.

“It will be difficult, we understand that but our main focus is on the next game and recovering for that because going to Watford is not an easy task and teams have learned that over the course of the season.

“We learned that when they came here, it was a tough game. We scored in the last minute in that game, so it was a tight one. And we understand that, with the new manager that they’ve brought in, it’s difficult to break them down.

“So for us, our mentality needs to be 100 per cent and we just need to focus on that and then after that we’ll focus on the next game.”

Should Liverpool win their next four games and City theirs, the title will mathematically be won on March 21 against Crystal Palace.

However, the FA Cup quarter-finals are scheduled for that weekend meaning if Jurgen Klopp’s side can get past Chelsea on Tuesday, the title could instead be clinched at City after the international break.

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