John Doolan eyes Trent Alexander-Arnold reunion – and huge FA Cup upset

Accrington manager John Doolan is hopeful of a reunion with Trent Alexander-Arnold this weekend before attempting to mastermind a seismic FA Cup shock at former employers Liverpool.

Doolan was an academy coach at Anfield when he first spotted the talent of a six-year-old Alexander-Arnold, whose future at Liverpool has been the subject of intense speculation in the last fortnight.

While he accepts Alexander-Arnold may have no recollection of him after nearly 20 years, Doolan is optimistic of catching up with the England full-back and his mother Diane when Accrington travel to Merseyside to take on the Premier League leaders on Saturday.

“I looked after Trent when he was six and seven, which he probably won’t remember, but his mum, Diane, might, I spoke to her quite a lot,” Doolan said.

“He was a centre-forward and you could see the ability he had then, scoring with both feet, could just glide past people. You could see he was an outstanding talent, even back then.

“When I moved on with my career, I ended up going back at some point and he was playing at centre-back, which I was surprised at. But he didn’t look out of place playing centre-back.

“That’s why he’s now playing right-back and he’s developed unbelievably. He’s a world-class player.

“It would be nice if he does remember but it would be nice to see Diane and catch up with her as well.”

There are 86 places in the football pyramid separating Liverpool and Accrington, who sit 19th in League Two, so Doolan is realistic about Stanley’s chances, even if opposite number Arne Slot rests several first-teamers.

While Accrington have no fitness concerns, they have been hampered by the inclement weather this week, with snow covering the Wham Stadium pitch and forcing them to