Trent Alexander-Arnold has hailed the influence of Pepijn Lijnders as “absolutely massive” in his career.
The 21-year-old has grown into a key man for Liverpool, with many now regarding him as one of the world’s premier right-backs.
Alexander-Arnold has worked his way up through the age groups at Anfield and he played under Lijnders during his academy days.
Now Jurgen Klopp’s assistant, the Dutchman is earning rave reviews for his passion and ability in the job.
Alexander-Arnold certainly cherishes the 36-year-old, telling The Athletic‘s James Pearce that he has played a huge part in his development:
Absolutely massive. There was a real bond between us. His passion for football is something I hadn’t really seen in a coach before.
The detail he went into, his will to win – it was unbelievable. It was exactly what I wanted and what I needed.
Pep and I used to stay out for hours after training just playing two-touch, messing around, head tennis.
There were sessions when we’d been out on the grass so long after a session that the floodlights would go off. It was just us two out there until 7pm at Kirkby. It was amazing.
The sessions we had, the fun of it, the way we played, we played in a 3-4-3 with a diamond in midfield.
I was always the No 6 in that. He allowed me to go forward and dictate the tempo of the game.
He gave me the freedom I wanted and he was a big influence on me.
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When Klopp’s trusted assistant Zeljko Buvac left Liverpool in the summer of 2018, there was concern that it would leave a gaping void in the coaching staff.
Lijnders has stepped up to the plate magnificently, however – so much so that Buvac is now very much forgotten.
He is a hugely talented coach who has a great rapport with Klopp and his players.
Some are even pencilling in him as a potential replacement for the Liverpool manager, hopefully many years down the line.
