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Liverpool FC youngster Trent Arnold is on a mission to follow in the footsteps of his hero Steven Gerrard by shining for both club and country.

The 16-year-old midfielder is with the England Under-17s squad in Bulgaria preparing for Tuesday’s crunch play-off match with Spain. The winners will secure a spot at the FIFA Under-17s World Cup in Chile this October.

“I can’t really get my head around how big this opportunity is at the moment,” Arnold told TheFA.com.

“I’m from West Derby in Liverpool, and I don’t know anybody else from my area that has played at a World Cup. It just doesn’t happen to lads like me. I’ll be trying so hard to get there – it would be an unforgettable experience.

“I played for Country Park in the Walton and Kirkdale League. The first World Cup I can remember is in 2006 when Italy won it. To play in a tournament like that at youth level would be amazing.

“I always used to pretend to be Stevie G when I was playing as a kid as he is a Scouser. Everyone looks up to him.

“I don’t think there is any footballer that doesn’t recognise his talent and what he has done for his club and country at World Cups. Now I may get that chance.”

GALLERY: Watch Trent Arnold in action for Liverpool

Arnold has spent the past fortnight with John Peacock’s squad at the European Under-17 Championships. They were knocked out by Russia in the quarter-finals on Saturday but their World Cup qualification hopes are still alive as they prepare to face Spain in the play-off.

“They are a strong side, but if we push on from Russia and learn from it, then we are confident we can get the result against Spain and reach Chile,” he added.

“We do not fear them but we know they will be a top team. They don’t change their style for any opposition and they’ll play their football – that’s what we need to deal with.

“We will need to concentrate a lot, make sure we don’t make any silly decisions and keep all 11 men on the pitch. We have to keep it tight and solid, not concede any early goals and we have to take our chances.

“You need to be clinical at these tournaments, that’s the biggest thing I’ve learnt. We’ve only scored three times, and the games have been so tight, so that shows you need to be clinical.”

Arnold has captained England at younger age levels and was handed the honour of captaining the Liverpool U18s for several games earlier this season by manager Neil Critchley.

He played the full game in the group stages in the 1-1 draw against Holland and came on as substitute in the win over Italy though was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Russia.

Fellow Liverpool youngster, attacking midfielder Herbie Kane, also 16, has started every game for England.