There is no harder place for a Liverpool player to make his full Premier League debut for the club.

But that's exactly what Trent Alexander-Arnold did in 2017 when, aged just 18, he was picked at right-back to face Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Nathaniel Clyne had been Jurgen Klopp's first choice in the right-back position that year but with the former Crystal Palace player injured, Alexander-Arnold was thrust into the spotlight having played just a League Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur less than three months earlier, as well as a late substitute appearance against Middlesbrough in a comfortable 3-0 win.

Talk about being thrown into the deep end.

The future flat champions you must follow this season, how the Premier League is hurting the Grand National and the truth about how long Constitution Hill can keep going: RACING CONFIDENTIAL	Trent Alexander-Arnold told to 'forget it' as reason for joining Real Madrid slammed	Liverpool legend demands fans should know 'the truth' about Trent Alexander-Arnold

There were nerves, but Alexander-Arnold stood tall as Liverpool defended a 27th minute lead courtesy of a James Milner penalty and while Zlatan Ibrahimovic struck late to give United a share of the spoils, it was a solid start as far as Alexander-Arnold was concerned.

Who'd have predicted what followed.

Indeed, Trent Alexander-Arnold has redefined what it is to be a right-back for Liverpool and while there will always be a tiresome debate about his defensive abilities, he can let his medal collection speak for itself.

One Champions League, one Club World Cup, two League Cups, an FA Cup and perhaps soon-to-be two Premier League winners' medals isn't the haul of a player who cannot defend.

And in truth, would there really be a way for him to leave Liverpool that would be palatable to all supporters?

If the club had gotten a transfer fee for his services, that would have likely involved him having to push to leave the club and burn far more bridges than he is doing so now.

There is, after all, a league title to be won, and Alexander-Arnold has been as much a part of that as anybody.

And if the final images of him in a Liverpool shirt are those of him holding that Premier League trophy aloft, then it will only underline how brilliant he has been for the club
For more news relating to Spurs, visit our sister site Spurs Latest Live.