Accrington supervisor John Doolan is hopeful of a reunion with Trent Alexander-Arnold this weekend earlier than trying to mastermind a seismic FA Cup shock at former employers Liverpool.
Doolan was an academy coach at Anfield when he first noticed the expertise of a six-year-old Alexander-Arnold, whose future at Liverpool has been the topic of intense hypothesis within the final fortnight.
Whereas he accepts Alexander-Arnold could haven’t any recollection of him after practically 20 years, Doolan is optimistic of catching up with the England full-back and his mom Diane when Accrington journey to Merseyside to tackle the Premier League leaders on Saturday.
“I taken care of Trent when he was six and 7, which he most likely received’t keep in mind, however his mum, Diane, would possibly, I spoke to her quite a bit,” Doolan mentioned.
“He was a centre-forward and you possibly can see the power he had then, scoring with each ft, might simply glide previous folks. You can see he was an excellent expertise, even again then.
“After I moved on with my profession, I ended up going again sooner or later and he was enjoying at centre-back, which I used to be stunned at. However he didn’t look misplaced enjoying centre-back.
“That’s why he’s now enjoying right-back and he’s developed unbelievably. He’s a world-class participant.
“It will be good if he does keep in mind however it might be good to see Diane and meet up with her as properly.”
There are 86 locations within the soccer pyramid separating Liverpool and Accrington, who sit nineteenth in League Two, so Doolan is lifelike about Stanley’s possibilities, even when reverse quantity Arne Slot rests a number of first-teamers.
Whereas Accrington haven’t any health considerations, they’ve been hampered by the inclement climate this week, with snow overlaying the Wham Stadium pitch and forcing them to get inventive with their preparations.
“We’ve been indoor and soccer domes, we’ve had spin and yoga lessons, we’ve had the recommendation off our sports activities science particular person,” Doolan mentioned.
“We all know the scale of the duty, we might have had the very best amenities ever however you’re speaking about enjoying Liverpool Soccer Membership.
“However Liverpool may need an off-day and we would have an unbelievable day. We’d have Girl Luck with us, you simply by no means know, it’s the magic of the cup.”
Boyhood Everton fan Doolan, whose Accrington facet are set to take round 4,700 followers to Anfield, has one further motive for wanting to at least one up Liverpool.
“The quantity of instances I’ve gone house on Saturday after a derby defeat,” Doolan mentioned with a smile. “However it might be good to get one over on them.
“I would like everybody to benefit from the event. These are the issues you must keep in mind whenever you go there – it’d by no means, ever occur once more for these gamers or for the membership.
“You do must go and revel in it however we wish to go there and provides an excellent account of ourselves as a group. Finally we’re an expert membership so we wish to try to get ourselves within the subsequent spherical of the hat.”
