You'll have plenty to celebrate when you subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to step up and deliver when Liverpool kick-off their 2017/18 Premier League campaign at Watford on Saturday.

The 18-year-old right-back is set to be handed only his third top-flight start in the absence of Nathaniel Clyne, who has missed the entire pre-season programme with hamstring and back problems.

Joe Gomez and Jon Flanagan are also under consideration for that defensive berth, but Jurgen Klopp is expected to put his faith in Academy graduate Alexander-Arnold.

The teenager from West Derby enjoyed a breakthrough year last term and he has further enhanced his reputation with a number of accomplished displays in the warm-up games. Now he’s hungry for more senior action.

“I’m not sure whether I will get that opportunity but I am hoping to take it if I do get it,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“I’ll be fighting for that position as will all the other lads. There are a lot of strong players here and we could put two different teams out at the start of the season.

“If the chance comes, I’ll be ready. If there is an opportunity you have to take it. If I get told I am playing against Watford I will look to take that chance.”

After impressing on his debut against Tottenham in the EFL Cup, Alexander-Arnold went on to clock up 12 first-team appearances in 2016/17. Last month his progress was recognised when Liverpool handed him a new five-contract.

Alexander-Arnold could have been part of the England Under-19s squad who won the European Championships in Georgia this summer but he turned down a call-up because he wanted to enjoy a full pre-season with the Reds.

“I featured a lot during the qualifying games but to not be there to lift the trophy with them hurt a little bit,” he admitted.

“I watched the whole tournament and I thought we deserved to win it. I was watching like a fan on the edge of my seat hoping we would dig deep and get that win. When they did I was made up to see them lift the trophy.

“It was a shame not to be there but the focus during pre-season was to focus on club football and that is what I have done.”

The decision paid off with Alexander-Arnold being one of the standout performers in Liverpool’s friendlies.

He showcased his immense potential in last week’s 3-0 Audi Cup triumph over Bayern Munich when he was up against a Champions League winner in Franck Ribery. He passed the test at the Allianz Arena with flying colours.

“It was obviously going to a tough task for me going up against a world class player and one of the best in the world,” he said.

“You just have to see it as a chance and that is what I do every time the manager picks me to go on the pitch. I just have to show why I deserve that chance. I tried to do that against Bayern.

“The whole game was tough for all of us. They are excellent. We’ve been trying to put into practice all the things we’ve been doing in training and particularly against Bayern you could see from our attacking play that there are a lot of exciting things to come.”

Alexander-Arnold opted against seeking out the Frenchman for a memento of the occasion.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

“No, I did not think about getting a souvenir or anything,” he said.

“I just went straight into the changing room because that is what I am used to doing. I try not to pay too much respect to the players I am playing against. I think that is what can affect you. You have to go out there and focus on yourself and not who you are up against.”

Those games against Bayern and Atletico Madrid in the Audi Cup served to whet the appetite for what lies ahead if Liverpool can negotiate the crunch Champions League play-off against Hoffenheim. They travel to Germany for the first leg next Tuesday night.

“That’s a big reason to go to tournaments like that and play the best teams in Europe,” Alexander-Arnold said.

“It’s to prepare us for the Champions League this season if we get through the qualifier. But we can’t assume we are going to playing in venues like that every couple of weeks because there is still a qualifier to get through. We need to make sure we are playing at places like that more often.”

Klopp has worked hard with Alexander-Arnold on the training ground this summer to improve the defensive side of his game. The manager has shown great faith in him and he’s determined to keep repaying Klopp with his performances.

“Defending is a big part of the game and first and foremost I am a defender so to try and nail that down he has been helping me throughout the pre-season. I hope I can improve some more,” he said.

“This manager gives youngsters hope. It’s been that way for years at Liverpool. There is always opportunities at Liverpool.

“We saw that last season and we will see it in the next one. It is great coming through the Academy knowing the manager will trust young players. It gives you even more motivation.”