‘Liverpool can exploit Ronaldo’s weaknesses’

LIVERPOOL: At just 19 years of age, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a daunting task of stopping five-time World Player of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo in Saturday’s Champions League final in Kiev. But the fresh-faced right-back isn’t overawed by the prospect and believes he can even expose Ronaldo’s own weaknesses.

A whirlwind season for Alexander-Arnold was capped by a call-up to England’s World Cup squad despite not having yet made his debut for the senior national side. He has been just one of a number of success stories of Jurgen Klopp’s management to end an 11-year wait for Liverpool to reach a Champions League final.

The gulf in experience couldn’t be greater in the Ukranian capital, though, as Real aim for a fourth European Cup in five seasons. Ronaldo is going for his fifth Champions League winner’s medal having also lifted the trophy with Manchester United in 2008.

Yet, despite classing the competition’s all-time leading scorer as “one of the best players ever”, Alexander-Arnold is still confident the Portuguese can be shut down by an improving Liverpool defence.

“Obviously it will be,” he said when asked if facing Ronaldo is the biggest challenge of his young career.“He’s one of the best players ever. He’s done unbelievable things in the game, but he’s got weaknesses as well, as every player has.