Trent Alexander-Arnold could only half appreciate the scale of his latest achievement during a familiar journey in the car.
The 25-year-old was returning home from Anfield on Wednesday night, savouring the fact he’s now turned out for his boyhood Liverpool exactly 300 times.
In coming off the bench in the second half of the victory over Chelsea, Alexander-Arnold became the third-youngest player in the club’s history to reach a triple century of appearances – behind only Ian Rush and Emlyn Hughes.
“I had a little moment driving home when I was speaking to a couple of my mates,” the No.66 replies when asked by Liverpoolfc.com if he’s had chance to take stock of his feat.
“There’s actually no words to describe… I think it’s one of those that eventually will hit.
“I know how big of a milestone it is and to think I’ve played 300 times for the club is an amazing feeling. It doesn’t feel like 300 at all but it’s flown by.
“It was good to have that moment when I was driving home after the game where I could just kind of enjoy it a little bit, kind of reflect on how quick it’s gone.
“Of course there’s still aims and ambitions for me and there’s been amazing memories, but I’m someone who likes to stay in the present and just be in the moment. It was good to have that.
“It was about making sure I was as ready as possible for big games coming up as well.”
The first of Alexander-Arnold’s 300 games came back in October 2016, against Tottenham Hotspur in the League Cup.
Since then, the Scouser has lifted the complete set of major honours with the club, all while developing into a leader and world-class talent.
“I’m definitely less nervous going out there these days compared to my debut!” the vice-captain smiles. “But I think your first 20, 30 games, you’re still finding your feet, finding your rhythm, still trying to break in. Your mentality changes with your status within the team.
“You go from an Academy player to a young player and then eventually you’re a starter and now I’m a senior player, so your status and your rank changes and so does your mentality.
“I think you just get more comfortable, you feel at home, you feel confident out there and you know your ability. I found that quite early on and I was able to tap into that.”
After the Chelsea win, Alexander-Arnold used social media to post photos from his first and 300th appearance.
Both were of him sharing moments with Jürgen Klopp.
On the manager’s guidance over the last seven-and-a-half seasons, Alexander-Arnold says: “As a young player, as an Academy player, all you want is trust and opportunity. He showed both of them in me massively, so I can only thank him so much.
“Without going into it too deep because I’m sure I will at some point, he’s been there every step of the way, he’s helped me develop on and off the pitch, as a person and a player. I can only thank him endless amounts.”
He made his comeback in the Emirates FA Cup tie with Norwich City last weekend before getting further minutes under his belt in midweek.
“I was just happy it was a short injury, a couple of weeks,” Alexander-Arnold reflects. “It’s a lot harder the longer you have to do on the sidelines. Happy to be back out there.
“You take it for granted every single day what you’re able to do, just coming in and socialising and being with the lads and travelling. Not even stepping foot on the pitch but being in and around them, the banter, everything that comes with it, feeling part of a team – you don’t have that when you’re injured.
“No-one makes you feel isolated but you feel it yourself. You’re not part of the team, you’re not travelling, you’re not in the team meetings, you’re not training or playing, so it’s a tough time for anyone.
“But it’s about that motivation to come back and not lose that rhythm and get back into it as quick as possible.”
