Trent Alexander-Arnold saw his wages increase significantly after making his 30th appearance for Liverpool, proving the club’s faith in the youngster.
Alexander-Arnold has established himself as a bona fide member of Jurgen Klopp‘s first team this season, and is now arguably the Reds’ first-choice right-back.
Though he faces competition from both Nathaniel Clyne and Joe Gomez, the 19-year-old has been the most consistent and impressive option on the right side of Liverpool’s defence.
Most recently he produced a stunning display in Saturday’s 3-0 win at home to Bournemouth, including a world-class assist for Mohamed Salah‘s 40th goal of the season.
And prior to that he shone over two legs as Liverpool progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League by virtue of a 5-1 aggregate win over Man City.
While the magnitude of his impact will likely have surprised Klopp and the Reds’ hierarchy, the Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe reports that they were prepared for this swift rise.
This comes as Alexander-Arnold made his 30th appearance for the club in February’s 2-0 win away to Southampton, triggering a salary increase.
“Although Liverpool do not publicise player salaries,” Bascombe writes, “it is believed the youngster’s has significantly increased to at least around £40,000 a week as a result of his performances.”
This remains a relatively low wage for a first-team regular at a club fighting at the top end of both the Premier League and the Champions League, but it is a sizeable salary for a teenager.
Furthermore, as Bascombe describes this as one of “several appearance clauses” it is likely that Alexander-Arnold’s earnings will only increase further, feasibly when he reaches his 50-game milestone.
Such appearance-based incentives are not uncommon, but the scale of Alexander-Arnold’s progress and, in turn, his rewards highlight the faith Liverpool had in his ability.
It has already been revealed that the club turned down overtures from RB Leipzig back in January when the Bundesliga side broached including the No. 66 in a deal to send Naby Keita to Anfield early.
And this latest development in Alexander-Arnold’s proves that Liverpool were already aware that he was likely to make the step up under Klopp this season.
The West Derby native signed his five-year deal last July, two months after insisting that “until I captain Liverpool I will not be satisfied.”
While this remains a lofty ambition, few would doubt Alexander-Arnold is on the right trajectory, with Jamie Carragher even tipping him to surpass his tally of 737 outings for the club.
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