Alexander-Arnold’s 33 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions last season were enough to convince Gareth Southgate that he was worth a place in England’s World Cup squad this summer.
The 19-year-old right-back only made his Premier League debut in December 2016, but has impressed ever since and played his part in the Reds reaching last season’s Champions League final.
As England’s players prepare in Repino for their Group G opener against Tunisia on Monday, Alexander-Arnold has shed light on his support back home – particularly from his mum.
He told BBC 5 Live “She checks up every day to make sure I’m wearing sun cream and everything,” said the teenager. “She’s so into the details.
The whole family’s like that, we keep well in touch. I call them a couple of times a day.
“It’s them you want to make proud. To see them with a smile on their face and to be proud of me is probably the biggest incentive I’ve got in football.”
Alexander-Arnold is England’s youngest squad member and made his senior international debut in the 2-0 friendly win over Costa Rica.