Matt Oldfield - Alexander-Arnold (Ultimate Football Heroes--the No. 1 football series): Collect them all!

For all readers, young and old(er)

Matt Oldfield delivers sports writing workshops in schools, and is the author of Unbelievable Football and Johnny Ball: Accidental Football Genius. Tom Oldfield is a freelance sports writer and the author of biographies on Cristiano Ronaldo, Arsne Wenger and Rafael Nadal.

Cover illustration by Dan Leydon

To learn more about Dan visit danleydon.com

To purchase his artwork visit etsy.com/shop/footynews

TABLE OF CONTENTS

First of all, Id like to thank Bonnier Books UK for supporting me supporting me throughout and for running the ever-expanding UFH ship so smoothly. Writing stories for the next generation of football fans is both an honour and a pleasure.

I wouldnt be doing this if it wasnt for my broth- er Tom. I owe him so much and Im very grateful for his belief in me as an author. I feel like Robin setting out on a solo career after a great partnership with Batman. I hope I do him (Tom, not Batman) justice with these new books.

Next up, I want to thank my friends for keeping me sane during long hours in front of the laptop. Pang, Will, Mills, Doug, John, Charlie the laughs and the cups of coffee are always appreciated.

Ive already thanked my brother but Im also very grateful to the rest of my family, especially Melissa, Noah and of course Mum and Dad. To my parents, I owe my biggest passions: football and books. Theyre a real inspiration for everything I do.

Finally, I couldnt have done this without Ionas encouragement and understanding during long, work-filled weekends. Much love to you.

THE MIRACLE
OF ANFIELD

7 May 2019, Anfield, Liverpool

As Trent emerged from the team bus and walked towards the stadium entrance, he was greeted by a tremendous sight and sound. A red army had arrived early to welcome their Liverpool heroes to Anfield and to pass on an important message to the players:

Come on, we can do this we can beat Barcelona!

Trent already believed his team could do it, and after that extraordinary show of support, how could they fail! Yes, Liverpool were 30 down after the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Lionel Messi and co, but so what? They were good enough to win 40, even without two of their star front three, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. At Anfield, anything was possible.

Liverpool! Liverpool! Liverpool!

As a local lad, Trent loved playing every home game, but European nights were extra special. The atmosphere, the anthem, the amazing opponents thats what he had dreamed of, growing up in West Derby, and now it was a reality.

After watching from the bench in Barcelona, Trent couldnt wait to play his part this time. At six years old, in 2005, he had watched The Miracle of Istanbul on TV at home with his family, when Liverpool faced AC Milan in that years UEFA Champions League final. What an unforgettable night! He had cheered and cheered for his heroes Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Jamie Carragher as they fought back from 30 down to beat their Italian opponents on penalties.

Well now, it was time for another famous Liverpool fightback. With the home crowd behind them, they were ready to give it everything to beat Barcelona and reach the Champions League Final once again.

We have to win that trophy, Trent thought to himself in the tunnel before kick-off. The memories of losing to Real Madrid in the 2018 final were still fresh and painful Mos injury, Gareth Bales bicycle-kick and, of course, Loris Karius errors. There was only one way to get rid of them: by returning to the biggest stage, and this time, becoming Champions of Europe.

As Liverpools attacking right-back, Trent had a difficult, double challenge ahead of him. On the one hand, his manager, Jrgen Klopp, wanted him to push forward as much as possible, and deliver lots of his dangerous crosses. The Reds had to score four goals and he had already set up eleven in the Premier League, plus another two in the Champions League.

Get the ball in the box whenever you can, Sadio Man told him. Ill be waiting!

But first, Trent had to do his defensive work and keep Messi, Luis Surez, and Philippe Coutinho quiet. Because if Barcelona scored an away goal at Anfield, then it was game over for Liverpool. No, they couldnt let that happen.

Weve got to stay focused tonight! Virgil van Dijk called out to his fellow defenders: Trent on the right, Andrew Robertson on the left, and in the middle, Jol Matip. One of the biggest games of their lives was about to begin.

With the sounds of Youll Never Walk Alone still echoing around the stadium, Liverpool went straight on the attack. Sadio pounced on a Barcelona mistake and flicked it through to his captain, Jordan Henderson. Hendos shot was saved, but Divock Origi scored the rebound. 31!

What a start! Trent punched the air but there were no proper team celebrations. Instead, the Liverpool players ran straight back for the restart; they still had lots of work to do.

Thats it keep going! Klopp urged them on.

Thanks to some great goalkeeping from Alisson, the score was still 10 to Liverpool at half-time, but 31 to Barcelona on aggregate. Trent and his teammates now had forty-five minutes left to score at least two goals. Was it time for Klopp to change his tactics?

Robbo, are you okay? the manager called across the changing room.

The Liverpool left-back nodded but he was clearly hurt and hobbling. Klopp had to make a quick decision: Okay Gini, youre coming on. Milly, I need you to move to left-back.

As the second half started, Liverpool pushed forward on the attack again. So far, Trent had been solid at right-back, but not spectacular. What could he do to help his team to win? He tried to head the ball through to Divock, but it bounced to a Barcelona player instead.

Rubbish! Trent snarled at himself. He was so much better than that! But he didnt give up; not now, not ever. Thats why Klopp trusted him, and why he was on track to reach his second Champions League Final before the age of twenty-one. But to get there, Liverpool still needed two more goals

Trent used his determination to win the ball straight back and then dribbled forward up the right wing. What next? As he looked up to deliver the cross, he could only see Sadio in the middle, surrounded by three Barcelona players. No, Trent decided to wait a little longer, until there were more Liverpool shirts there too

NOW! He crossed it just as Gini Wijnaldum burst into the box and BANG! he smashed the ball into the net first time. 32! Game on!

It was like that match against AC Milan all over again only this time, they also had the Anfield roar behind them. Suddenly, Barcelona were on the back foot and Liverpool looked unstoppable. Two minutes later, Xherdan Shaqiri crossed it from the left and their super sub Gini scored again. 33!

Okay, now Liverpool could celebrate! Trent raced up the right wing to give Gini a great big hug. Yes, you hero come onnnnnnn!

What now? There were still almost forty minutes to go before extra time should Liverpool sit deeper and defend for a bit, or go for the winner?