Liverpool returned to the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, and an 18-year-old led the way.
Trent Alexander-Arnold nearly gave the Reds a Man of the Match display in a 2-1 win over Hoffenheim that gives Liverpool a leg in the UCL group stage.
Alexander-Arnold scored this good-looking free kick and was all over the pitch in the win. Had he not been caught calling for offside on Hoffenheim’s late goal, he would’ve usurped Sadio Mane and Simon Mignolet for the game’s top honors.
[MORE: Recap | Klopp reacts to win ]
He’s not worried about that. After all, he just scored for Liverpool in the Champions League. From The Liverpool Echo:“Obviously it’s a thing of dreams to make your European debut for your boyhood club, and to mark it with a goal as well is very special.”
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“I kind of got egged on to do it, to be honest. I never put my hand up at first, but I had the confidence to finally take it and it paid off.”
Alexander-Arnold won’t turn 19 until October, and this was his 14th senior appearance for the Reds. Nathaniel Clyne is no doubt Liverpool’s No. 1 right back, but Klopp has plenty of reason to feel comfortable with choosing either as fixture congestion continues for the Reds.