Liverpool Under23 defender Trent Alexander-Arnold remains hopeful he can impress first team manager Jurgen Klopp in order to follow in the footsteps of Ovie Ejaria to make his way into the senior squad.

The 18-year-old made his first team debut when he came off the bench in the Merseyside club's 3-0 third round EFL Cup win over Derby County. The midfielder, who joined the Reds academy from Arsenal was part of Klopp's pre-season squad. However, a groin injury against Chelsea in July forced him to spend time on the sidelines, before returning to action in the cup fixture.

Alexander-Arnold has been in fine form for Michael Beale's side and was impressive in Under23s 6-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur and also in their 3-0 victory over Sunderland. Liverpool are third in the Premier League 2 table, with 12 points, three points behind leaders Everton.

Ejaria is a year older to Alexander-Arnold, who was on the bench in Liverpool's 4-3 win over Arsenal on the opening day. The right-back has now set his sights on breaking into the Reds' first team.

"I'm just going to keep working hard, keep learning, do the things in training he wants me to do. With time I'll mature, I should be fighting for places," Alexander-Arnold told the Liverpool Echo.

"Ovie's only a year older than me, I'm really happy for him because I know he deserved it with his performances and the way that he trains, it's thoroughly deserved. Hopefully if I keep training well I'll get into the manager's books."

Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold is a key player for Liverpool U23s Getty

"I'd say all the team have a chance of breaking into the first team, it's just about timing and positions really, so everyone has got a big amount of quality and we all want to push forward as a team and do well."