Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Sky Sports pundit and Champions League winner Jamie Carragher at the annual Football for Change fundraising lunch on Thursday.
Carragher hosted a unique ‘in conversation’ with Alexander-Arnold as the 25-year-old defender told all about his trophy-laden career, positional future and how he found out legendary manager Jurgen Klopp would leave Anfield at the end of the season.
Alexander-Arnold launched the Football for Change initiative alongside the Communities Foundation for Lancashire and Merseyside, Carragher and England defender Conor Coady in 2021.
Sir Rod Stewart became the patron of Football for Change in the same year.
England megastar Jude Bellingham, Lioness hero Beth Mead, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville and Match of the Day legend Gary Lineker have all since become ambassadors For Football for Change, while celebrities including David Beckham, Dua Lipa, Wayne Rooney and Olly Murs have all backed the charity.
Football for Change has raised over £1.1 million in less than three years, bringing together sports stars and business leaders to help NEET (not in education, employment or training) young people find education or employment opportunities.
The initiative has sent more than 100 disadvantaged young people to the United States for sports and education retreats and helped to finance the build of an education hub in Bootle.
Football for Change has also partnered with Local Solutions to support young people into employment while placing homeless youngsters back into work and accommodation in Glasgow. The charitable initiative is also partnering with Manchester’s UA92 Academy to provide laptops and technical equipment to students from low-income households.
At the event on Thursday, hosted at the iconic Royal Liver Building, Football for Change featured a star-studded auction which featured once-in-a-lifetime meet-and-greet prizes from Alexander-Arnold, Jack Grealish, comedian Alan Carr and behind-the-scenes tours at Sky Sports and Formula 1.
Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold said:
“It’s amazing to see the impact Football for Change is having on disadvantaged young people.”
“I am proud to be part of the initiative. A lot of young people just don’t have the support they need around them and Football For Change is about giving them the tools to build better futures and reach their potential.”
“Being part of this is important to me because growing up in Liverpool I saw so many people struggling, with poverty blocking so many chances for kids. Organisations like Football For Change, and footballers and businesses coming together like this, can change that and make a difference.
“The work Football For Change has done so far, and I’ve seen it all for myself, is fantastic.”
Football for Change chairman and Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said:
“Today has been another powerful Football For Change event, bringing together business leaders and football superstars to help provide opportunities to young people affected by poverty and disadvantage.
“Trent has played a huge part in Football For Change since we launched in 2021. It is a credit to Trent and in his nature to give up so much of his time today to meet those who have supported the initiative since day one.
“Football For Change is making a huge difference across the country and in 2024 will invest in more disadvantaged young people than ever before. It has already supported more than 20 charitable projects with grants and the projects that have been delivered have been absolutely life changing.”
The event also included a performance from The Lightning Seeds.