Arne Slot has hailed the ambition of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold to become the best in the world.
Alexander-Arnold has been an integral part of Liverpool’s modern success and recently became the first defender to reach 60 assists in the Premier League. In October, he outlined his bold ambition to become the first full-back to win the Ballon d’Or.
“I believe I can,” Alexander-Arnold, told Sky Sports.
“I want to be the first full-back to ever do it. It’s only the morning after you retire that you’re able to look in the mirror and say, ‘I gave it everything I got’.
“It doesn’t matter how many trophies you win, or how many medals you’ve got. It matters what you give to the game and if you reach your full potential.”
Slot discussed Alexander-Arnold’s ambition to improve and said he want every player to target high achievements – provided the team is put first.
“I like this in a player, this is something every player must have if you want to play at this level,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference ahead of facing Spurs on Sunday.
“If you don’t have this you probably don’t play at this level. As long as they understand they need the team to be special as an individual, as long as they put the team first and as a result of that be special themselves. That is what they all do, including Trent.
“They want to be the best. If that is not what you have I think it is so hard to put the effort in, to stay fit, to be good every three days because you see them during the game and think ‘what a life these players have’.
“That is true they have a great life but they have to put a lot of work in to be able to be at their best every three days.”
