Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes to help former academy prospects with new platform

By Sports Desk February 06, 2024

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes his initiative to find jobs for academy prospects who fail to become professional footballers is “the beginning of a wider conversation”.

The 25-year-old, one of the rare few to make the grade, set up The After Academy platform to provide those youngsters who miss out with the tools to succeed in a variety of careers.

Part of that is a jobs board, hosted on the Professional Footballers’ Association’s website, where roles will be exclusively offered to former academy players with the hiring process focusing on demonstrating transferable skills learned at academies rather than traditional qualifications.

“I’m so excited to be able to launch The After Academy platform,” said the England international.

“After months of work with my partners, we’ve been able to create something that not only equips former academy players with the skills they need to succeed in their careers, but also opens the door to their first post-playing job.

“I really believe this platform will make a difference to people’s lives and I hope it’s just the beginning of a wider conversation about how we can better support those players who don’t make it.”

Jobs from the likes of Liverpool, Red Bull, Adidas, Versus, Therabody, N3XT Sports, the PFA, Hugo Boss and Status will be regularly added to the platform.

Maheta Molango, chief executive of the PFA, said: “Trent is a great example of a member using their profile and influence to inspire good in the game.

“We’re proud to be involved and look forward to working closely with The After Academy partners to support young people in the next stages of their careers.”

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    Jude Bellingham was reserved when questioned on the future of his "good mate" Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid.

    Alexander-Arnold’s contract at Liverpool runs out at the end of the season, leaving lingering doubts over the future of the right-back.

    He has been linked with a switch to Real Madrid, where Bellingham has thrived since he joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

    Alexander-Arnold and Bellingham will meet at Anfield on Wednesday as Madrid face Liverpool in a heavyweight Champions League clash.

    While Bellingham would not be drawn on speculation, he does hope to be playing alongside Alexander-Arnold next season, one way or the other.

    "I'll be playing alongside him next season for England anyway, so hopefully, that'll be a guarantee," Bellingham said at a press conference.

    "He's a Liverpool player, and I think it's disrespectful to come to his home today and speak about something that could be misconstrued, so I think it's important to take that pressure off him.

    "He's a really good mate of mine, and I want him to do well normally, obviously not tomorrow night. We'll see what happens, but as I said, he's a Liverpool player."

    Alexander-Arnold has played the second-most key passes in Liverpool's squad (20) in the Premier League this season.

    In the Champions League this term, he has attempted the fourth most crosses for Liverpool (six) in the competition this season and contributed one assist.

    Half of Liverpool's goals in the Champions League this season have been scored following crosses (5/10), with their five such goals being the most of any side.

    Alexander-Arnold missed Liverpool's 3-2 win over Southampton on Sunday, as the Reds went eight points clear at the top of the Premier League.

    The 26-year-old could return to the fold against Madrid but Arne Slot is keen not to rush his return.

    "Trent is in the squad but he will not be available to start," Slot said.

    "He can maybe make a few minutes, in an ideal world he maybe doesn't, but if it's really necessary he can make a few minutes tomorrow," he said.

  • 'I'm still an Evertonian' – Madrid's Ancelotti out to upset Liverpool 'I'm still an Evertonian' – Madrid's Ancelotti out to upset Liverpool

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    Ancelotti managed Everton between 2019 and 2021 before returning for a second spell with Los Blancos, who he has since led to their 14th and 15th European crowns.

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    They are coming up against a Liverpool team with four wins in as many Champions League games under Arne Slot, with the Reds aiming to win five straight matches from the start of a European campaign for the first time since 2021-22 (first seven).

    On that occasion, Liverpool finished as Champions League runners-up to Ancelotti's Real Madrid, and the Italian is out to cause the Reds more heartache on Wednesday.

    "I consider, as usual, Liverpool with a lot of respect – they're a fantastic club, fantastic supporters – but I'm still an Evertonian," Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference.

    "It will be a very entertaining match, as always. Two historic clubs in this competition, each with its own characteristics. We'll have to see who has the character and personality to show it on the pitch.

    "Liverpool have always been very competitive and very dangerous. They were under [Jurgen] Klopp, and it is with the new coach."

    Real Madrid will be without star winger Vinicius Junior on Wednesday after he suffered a hamstring injury in Sunday's 3-0 league win over Leganes, while Rodrygo, Eder Militao, Dani Carvajal, Lucas Vazquez, Aurelien Tchouameni and David Alaba are also out.

    "We have also had seven anterior cruciate ligament (injuries)," Ancelotti added. "Avoiding them is difficult, because it's not only Madrid's problem, but also that of other teams. 

    "Each team handles these things in their own way, but what does not change are the injuries. We have to put up with this.

    "We have to try to think like we did last year, that injuries have been a great opportunity for us to become better. It's no coincidence that the injuries of Militao, Lucas and Rodrygo against Osasuna have changed the dynamic of the team."

    Despite the injuries, the Italian coach said his team's spirits were high after back-to-back wins, those results steadying things after a 3-1 home defeat to Milan.

    "I'm fine, and the team is doing well too. Our last two games have gone very well," Ancelotti said.

    "We are more solid, we have a good feeling and the same confidence as always, also for this game against very demanding opponents who are playing very well.

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  • 'More in than out' – Slot insists Liverpool star Salah not distracted by contract row 'More in than out' – Slot insists Liverpool star Salah not distracted by contract row

    Liverpool boss Arne Slot does not believe Mohamed Salah has been distracted by his lack of a contract offer, after the Egyptian declared he was likely to leave the club.

    After scoring twice to fire Liverpool to a 3-2 Premier League victory over Southampton on Sunday, Salah made headlines with comments about his future in the mixed zone.

    Salah, who is out of contract at the end of the season, said he was "more out than in" due to Liverpool's failure to offer him new terms.

    Salah's comments come at a key time for Liverpool, who face Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday before taking on Manchester City in the league on Sunday – a win in that latter match would take them 11 points clear of Pep Guardiola's stuttering champions.

    Speaking at Tuesday's pre-match press conference, however, Slot insisted Salah maintains the same laser focus as always.

    "The only thing I can say is, when I look at my lineups, Mo is more in than out. That quote I can give you," Slot said.

    "He is not distracted at all. I haven't seen it after the Manchester United game when he made comments. I didn't see anything today, he is fully focused on the game tomorrow.

    "If you had been at the training ground today, no one spoke about it at least when I was there. Players are also focused on the short term. That is Real Madrid and City.

    "I don't think there is any distraction for him, the players and definitely not for me."

     

    Salah has scored 12 goals and provided 10 assists in 18 games across all competitions this season. Both of those are team-high figures, while he also leads all his Liverpool team-mates for chances created (32), shots (55) and shots on target (32).

    Former Reds defender Jamie Carragher responded to Salah's comments on his contract by describing the winger as "selfish" on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football, but Slot preferred to focus on Salah's ability rather than be drawn into that debate.

    "I focus a bit more on what else Jamie said," said Slot when asked about Carragher's comments.

    "He said Mo is one of the five best players we ever had at this club. I agree with him. I don't think it distracts Mo. My main focus is the next game. We have another big game coming up after that.

    "I talked to Mo about what I expect from him, like I do with all the other players. I am not distracted at all by his comments and I do not feel his team-mates are as well."

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