Former MK Dons manager Karl Robinson says Liverpool ‘kidnapped’ youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold amid interest from Everton

TEENAGE prospect Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for Liverpool this week, and Karl Robinson has revealed the lengths they took to sign him.

The former MK Dons manager was an academy boss with the Reds and recalls the battle they had to secure the signature of the young talent.

Alexander-Arnold started in the 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night and helped the Reds to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the EFL Cup.

But if it wasn't for Robinson, the starlet could have been playing for the blue half of Merseyside, calling Goodison Park his home instead.

He told 5Times podcast: "I signed Trent. I was watching the game on Tuesday night and I got all emotional.

"He had a choice between Liverpool and Everton, and we literally kidnapped him! We wouldn't let him anywhere because he was so good. He was a striker as a kid."

He he has now made the transition to being an accomplished right-back, which is where he started before being replaced by Nathaniel Clyne on 68 minutes.

But he can also operate on the right hand side of midfield, or even as a central midfielder.

Robinson added: "He was the best by a long way. We did everything we possibly could to sign him.

"Cameron Brannagan was a bit older than him. Jordan Rossiter and Connor Randall were also part of that batch of players we signed at six, seven and eight.

"I'm watching these kids now and thinking remember the battle we had trying to sign him."

Robinson is shocked that the prodigy is now plying his trade as a defender, but said that the 18-year-old England youth international has always been a standout performer at whatever level.

He said: "He was brilliant. He was bubbly, fearless, the best player at that age. Trent's mum is an amazing woman who took him everywhere.

"I'll tell you who he reminded me of as a kid - Jesse Lingard, who we had at Liverpool and then lost to Man United.

"It shocked the life out of me that Trent is a right-back. Maybe it's because he has the physical attributes to play out wide and can cope with the demands of the game there."

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Next up for Jurgen Klopp's men is a tricky away fixture at Selhurst Park.

The Reds have won on their last two visits to Crystal Palace, a late Christian Benteke penalty sealing all three points last season, but Klopp will be hoping his former striker doesn't come back to haunt him this weekend.

Liverpool sit third in the table on goal difference, level on 20 points with Manchester City and Arsenal.