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Steven Gerrard believes Trent Alexander-Arnold has the right character to keep him at the top of the world game for years at Liverpool.

Alexander-Arnold is arguably the brightest star out of the Kirkby Academy since Gerrard himself burst onto the scene over 20 years ago and the England right-back marked his 100th senior game in the 2-1 win over Aston Villa earlier this month.

The full-back has more Liverpool appearances than Gerrard, who ended his Anfield career third in the all-time list with 710, at the same age and was a European champion before his 21st birthday.

Rangers boss Gerrard, who worked as the Reds' Under-18s manager before moving to Ibrox, spent some time with Alexander-Arnold at the Academy before the right-back's big breakthrough.

And Gerrard said there was something about the defender's attitude and mentality that marked him out as a star of the future in an exclusive chat with the ECHO.

(Image: VI Images via Getty Images)

"It's not a question of 'how good can he be?' because he is already there," Gerrard said. "What we have in Trent and Robbo (Andy Robertson) now, straight away, you would put them in the world-class bracket.

"They are up there with the best players in their position, worldwide. So there's no point saying how good could they be because they are already there.

"The thing for Trent now is can he maintain that consistency for as long as he can? Because he can go on and be whatever he wants to be.

"What I would say is he is already there and we, as Liverpool fans, are blessed to have these two full-backs in the position because they are absolutely flying.

(Image: Peter Powell)

"They are so important and key to how Liverpool play and I just love watching them.

"I was lucky to have a few days around Trent during his Academy days and he stood out. Of course people always talk about his technique and the stuff they see, but I saw something in this kid that was more about character.

"So talent will get you to a certain place, but I seen that he had the fight, the desire and commitment and that is what will keep him there consistently throughout what will hopefully be a long career.

"The talent is so obvious but I saw something different in him and it was more to do with the character and that is the reason why he is where he is."

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Former Liverpool captain Gerrard, who recently lent his name and support to the Allerton-based Liverpool Football College, has been delighted by what he has seen from Jurgen Klopp's Reds this season as he declared: "Now is our time".

The European champions are currently eight points clear at the summit of the Premier League having won 11 of their 12 games so far this term.

It follows on from last season's 97-point haul in the top flight and Champions League triumph and Gerrard says Klopp is the perfect man for Liverpool supporters to get behind, as he declared: "Now is our time".

He added: "I am loving it! I am absolutely loving it!

"Every Liverpool fan now, you can see it, as soon as the conversation starts, the excitement in the faces, the joy.

"And I think we really need to enjoy Jurgen while he is here because we have got a world-class leader and the way he is and the way he carries himself is coming out in the team.

"I just think the fans and Jurgen are a match made in heaven. We just really need to enjoy this team because, with all due respect to the teams that I played in, we used to have one really top, maybe world-class, player in our set-up and now the squad is littered with them.

"Now is our time and we just need to keep going now and letting them do what they do, but what a time to be a Liverpool fan and an ex-player because it is some buzz watching them now.

"We've got world-class players all over the place and I don't want to name them in case some feel they are being left out but Liverpool are a world-class team at the moment.

"To watch them, and I've still got some friends in that set-up and players who I played with, it gives me some buzz to see what they are doing.

Steven Gerrard was speaking after partnering up with Liverpool Football College.A limited number of spaces at the college are available for the current academic year for local youngsters aged 16-18. Anyone interested should call 0151 724 4983 to book an appointment. For more information contact davidm@liverpoolfootballcollege.com