Just a year ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold found himself in the middle of an awkward situation—one that might not have gone down well with England’s new manager at the time.
After Gareth Southgate stepped down following England’s heartbreaking defeat in the Euro 2024 final, speculation over his successor intensified. And Alexander-Arnold didn’t hold back on who he’d love to see take over: his former Liverpool boss, Jürgen Klopp.
Trent had thrived under Klopp’s leadership at Anfield since 2016, securing every major domestic and European title in the process. So when Klopp ended his nine-year reign at Liverpool around the same time as Southgate’s exit, Trent couldn’t help but voice his admiration—despite Thomas Tuchel being heavily linked to the England role.
In a candid interview last July, the Liverpool defender opened up about what Klopp meant to him, calling both Klopp and Southgate the figures who “gave me my debuts, and made my dreams come true.” His comments struck an emotional chord, especially when he admitted he’d be thrilled to reunite with Klopp on the international stage.
“I enjoyed every moment I worked with him,” Trent said, describing their time together as filled with “amazing memories” and a strong bond.
However, he was also realistic. Despite the wishful thinking, Trent acknowledged it was highly unlikely Klopp would take the England job, especially given how publicly the German manager had embraced his break from football.
“It would be a huge surprise,” Trent admitted. “From everything I’ve seen and the conversations we’ve had, he looks like he’s enjoying his time away from the game.”
Still, the timing of the statement—when Tuchel was a strong candidate—may have caused a few raised eyebrows behind the scenes. One thing’s for sure: Alexander-Arnold wears his loyalty to Klopp on his sleeve. ❤️👔
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