Trent Alexander-Arnold said it took him a while to get used to being a hometown representative for Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold made his Premier League debut eight years ago under Jurgen Klopp as an 18-year-old and has since made 233 league appearances for Liverpool.
In the top-flight, he has 59 assists, the joint-most by a defender in the competition's history, alongside team-mate Andy Robertson.
Since making his debut, the 26-year-old has established himself as one of the best right-backs in the world, having also picked up 33 senior caps for England.
However, Alexander-Arnold admitted the position he was in had the potential to be overwhelming for someone like him.
"At first it's quite intimidating because so many people are watching you and so many people are wanting to see what you're doing and emulate what you're doing," he told the Liverpool club website.
"You get to a point where you embrace it and use it as motivation, I think," he said.
"Growing up I had idols like Stevie G [Steven Gerrard] and Carra [Jamie Carragher] who, not their message directly to me, but the careers themselves and being from the city and going through the academy system made it possible.
"In my mind, it was like, 'If they can do it, why can't I?' They've probably played on the same fields as I have. They were doing the same things in the academy, and they came through the same system and were able to achieve it. So, if I've got enough discipline, hard work and talent, then why can't I go and do that?
"I think that's something that sticks with me a lot of the time. It's sometimes the reason why I push myself to show people if you're willing to work hard enough that anything is possible."
Alexander-Arnold says he is aware of the example he sets to others who might be in the position he was before playing for Liverpool, though he was conscious of highlighting the effort it takes to get to where he is now.
"That's something that is firmly in my mind. If you do think it, you can do it, but it'll take hard work. But if you're willing to put that in, you can do and achieve any dream you want," he said.
Guardiola says Tuchel's nationality not important after England appointment
Pep Guardiola does not believe Thomas Tuchel's nationality is of any importance following the German's appointment as England's new head coach.
On Wednesday, the Football Association announced the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss had signed an 18-month contract, starting in January, to lead the Three Lions to the 2026 World Cup.
Guardiola was among several high-profile coaches to be linked with the role prior to the announcement, with his contract with Manchester City set to expire next year.
While Tuchel's fine record in knockout football has led many to hail his arrival as a coup, some have suggested the FA should have given an English coach a chance.
Guardiola, however, does not believe it is an issue, saying at a press conference ahead of Sunday's trip to Wolves: "Thomas Tuchel is the manager.
"I'm the manager of Man City, forget about it. The rest is not important. The federation decided to go for a foreign manager with a great record.
"My view is I would support him unconditionally. If he wins he will be praised and if he loses he will be criticised. But it doesn't matter, his nationality.
"I know we are proud of where we are from, but the world is so big. You have to be open-minded. I came here to learn from you."
Pressed on his own long-term future at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola reiterated that no decision has been made but said City will be made aware of his plans well in advance.
"I'm pretty sure the club have options when Pep leaves. Sooner or later, it will happen and they have to prepare. It will not be a surprise," he said.
"I want to be really convinced it is the best for the club. I will not delay any action thinking it will be a problem for the club. They understand the problems I will have.
"If the club asks me an opinion [on my successor], I will give them an opinion. But it is not a decision for me. It has to be the club."
Perhaps the most high-profile homegrown coach to be linked with the England job was Newcastle United's Eddie Howe, alongside the likes of Graham Potter and Lee Carsley.
However, speaking at his own press conference ahead of Newcastle's Premier League fixture against Brighton and Hove Albion, Howe was asked if he was among the coaches interviewed for the job.
"I was not. There was no contact from the FA," he replied. "England have to do what is right for them and only they will know the processes they have gone through and the decisions they have made. I am certainly not the type of person that is going to analyse that."
Tivoli Gardens defeat Wolmer’s Boys’ 4-2 to top Manning Cup Zone E
Tivoli Gardens High School delivered a statement victory on Thursday, defeating Wolmer’s Boys’ 4-2 in an action-packed ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup Zone E showdown. Tivoli's win, led by two goals each from Ryan-Oneil Francis and Kaqummarie McKoy, saw them finish the preliminary round at the top of the group.
Francis opened the scoring in the 12th minute, giving Tivoli an early lead. McKoy doubled their advantage with a well-taken goal in the 24th minute, putting the hosts in control by halftime. Wolmer’s came out strong in the second half, with Daniel Scarlett pulling one back in the 51st minute, injecting hope into the visitors.
However, Tivoli responded emphatically. McKoy netted his second in the 68th minute, followed by Francis’s second in the 75th minute to make it 4-1, putting the game beyond Wolmer’s reach. Scarlett managed a late consolation goal in the 82nd minute, scoring his second of the match, but it wasn’t enough to prevent Tivoli from securing a crucial 4-2 win.
With the victory, Tivoli Gardens leapfrogged Wolmer’s to finish atop Zone E with 27 points. Wolmer’s, who finished two points behind Tivoli, secured second place. St Jago High, meanwhile, wrapped up third place with 19 points after a dominant 4-0 win over Denham Town, who finished in fourth with seven points.
Other Results from Thursday’s Manning Cup Matches:
Kingston College and Campion College battled to a thrilling 2-2 draw, a result that saw both teams share the points in their final preliminary round match.
St Jago High comfortably defeated Denham Town 4-0, securing third place in Zone E behind Tivoli Gardens and Wolmer’s Boys’.
As the Manning Cup progresses to the next stage, Tivoli Gardens' momentum from topping Zone E makes them a strong contender, while Wolmer’s and other teams will look to regroup and push further in the competition.
FC Dallas v Sporting Kansas City: Luccin urges hosts to show fight in season finale
Peter Luccin wants FC Dallas to finish their season on a high when they play their final MLS match of 2024 against Sporting Kansas City on Saturday.
Dallas can only finish as high as 10th in the Western Conference but have won just one of their last seven MLS matches, losing the last two on the bounce.
Despite not reaching the playoffs, Luccin is already looking at the positives they can carry into next season, though he still expects his team to show their best form against Sporting KC.
"Our duty is to give all we've got," he said. "The attitude of the team against Portland was positive and that's the least we can do for the fans.
"At the same time, we need to think about next year. The attitude of the players has been great, but we didn't lose games because of that. It came down to qualities or specific details, not mentality.
"It's good, we are growing up as a team, so we need to see how they do against Kansas."
Kansas City, meanwhile, are guaranteed to finish 13th no matter the result.
They are on a three-match losing streak in MLS and head coach Peter Vermes wants to make sure his team finish on a high after that poor run of form.
"Every week, no matter where you are in the season, you're always working, thinking, preparing to make sure your team is ready for the challenge, and not just from the soccer perspective," he said.
"You're trying to get the mentality right. It's much more challenging in a situation like this, but I think it will say a lot about the players that go on the field about how serious they take it."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
FC Dallas – Petar Musa
Petar Musa has scored 15 goals this season, 10 more than any other Dallas player.
That is the second-largest gap between a team's top goalscorer and second in MLS this season, behind only Christian Benteke, who has scored 17 more goals than any other D.C. United player in 2024.
Sporting Kansas City – Daniel Salloi
Daniel Salloi has scored eight regular-season goals against Dallas, three more than against any other opponent in his MLS career.
No player has scored more goals against Dallas since Salloi made his MLS debut in 2017.
MATCH PREDICTION: FC DALLAS WIN
Dallas have won only one of their last seven regular-season matches (D2 L4). They have conceded three goals in all four losses in that time but conceded just one in the other three matches.
Kansas City have won three straight meetings with FC Dallas in all competitions for the first time since 2017. Only once before has either team managed a four-match streak (Sporting KC in 2004), and Dallas will be keen to ensure they do not manage the same feat on Sunday.
Sporting KC, meanwhile, have just 31 points coming into the final match of the season, and will finish with fewer than 35 points for the first time since 2009 (33). Sporting hasverecorded fewer than 32 points only once before, totalling 20 points in the 1999 campaign.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
FC Dallas – 46.6%
Draw – 26.5%
Sporting Kansas City – 26.9%
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
