Trent Alexander-Arnold says Liverpool will have a “big goal” on their back this season and will have to adapt and protect their Premier League title.
Jurgen Klopp’s appearance begins his new home crusade opposite newly promoted Leeds United on Saturday in the Sky Sports Premier League.
The name has effectively been defended once in the last decade and Alexander-Arnold expects a tougher challenge than last season, in which the Reds finished 18 problems ahead of their closest rivals, Manchester City.
“For us, it’s not about going beyond the problems set or scoring more goals, it’s about whether we can all grow as a team and keep winning,” Alexander-Arnold told Sky Sports News.
“We have to keep that mindset, that’s the most important thing that helped us get this far. “
“We know that there is now a great purpose behind us as champions and they will be very motivated when they play against us, so we have to adapt to that mindset and take the next step.
“Winning consecutively is more complicated than winning once. “
Alexander-Arnold was named PFA Young Player of the Year on Tuesday, the first Liverpool player to win the coveted singles award since Steven Gerrard in 2001.
The 21-year-old, who scored 4 goals and provided thirteen Premier League assists last season, feels his conflicting parties are a risk of attack as the season progresses.
“Towards the time part of last season, or even the last quarter after everything that happened, I discovered it a little bit to locate area and have that freedom,” Alexander-Arnold said.
“I discovered that I was being marked through a boy several times in games, to which I was not accustomed.
“When you threaten the opposition, they look at it and look at it to prevent it from happening. In my mind, if this has happened to me, it means I’m doing something right.
“I can only go out and keep doing that. Every season, you have to adapt and replace your behavior because everyone is getting better. You can’t keep being the same, you have to keep improving.
“For me and the team, we have to adapt to the new scenario and adapt quickly. “
When asked what recommendation he would give to other young players in the hope of emulating his exploits, Alexander-Arnold added: “I would say don’t fix it for the other players.
“At that age, it’s all about progression, you can’t take on other players, what they do and what they do at age.
“People succeed at their peak at 30 and some at 20. No race is the same, so you can’t judge yourself and compare yourself to other players.
“It’s about knowing what it’s like for you, finding what works for you as temporarily as possible, and getting into routines. It’s those routines and behaviors that make players smart.
Liverpool made only one signing in the play window this summer, with Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas arriving at the club on an 11. 75 million pound play from Olympiakos.
Meanwhile, Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana have left the club to sign zenit St Petersburg and Brighton respectively.
Alexander-Arnold says the existing team has enough delight to deal with his loss and believes he and other young players can step in to fill the void.
“I never judged a player by his age and said that if you’re under 21, you can’t be a leader,” he added.
“Leadership comes in many shapes, sizes, and shapes, through movements or words.
“Two great personalities and senior players have left the club and we know those gaps want to fill up, but there are more than enough players, we have a full team of leaders.
“It would probably not be a challenge for us, we have the players who will step forward and make sure everyone is signed up and do the right thing day by day. “