A former Premier League legend has compared Liverpool’s £72M star to one of his rivals and has overlooked the Merseyside star.
The right-back debate for England is heating up as we near the World Cup, with Gareth Southgate debating over four or five options – all of whom are top-class Premier League players.
One of those is Trent Alexander-Arnold of course, but his place in the squad is still being debated, given his poor early season form for Liverpool.
Former England PL legend Rio Ferdinand has discussed the issue and spoken about Liverpool’s right back in relation to some of his rivals for the right back role.
Most passes into the final third in the Premier League this season:
◉ 94 – Kyle Walker
◎ 90 – Trent Alexander-ArnoldMost passes into the opposition box:
◉ 98 – Kieran Trippier
◎ 95 – Trent Alexander-ArnoldCompetition for that right-back spot it heating up. ♨️ pic.twitter.com/w12bej6qDN
— Squawka (@Squawka) September 23, 2022
Ferdinand on Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Reece James
Former PL legend Ferdinand was on hand to give his view on the right back situation, comparing Reece James of Chelsea to Alexander-Arnold speaking on his Vibe with Five podcast, he said (via Rousing The Kop):
“This is a difficult one. We are going where we are right now. Reece James is ahead of Trent right now. If I’m a winger I look at who I don’t want to play against more out of the two of them and it would be Reece.”
“I think physically he can match people defensively and going forward is ridiculous. Trent’s passing I would say arguably is better over varied distances but I think Reece will score more goals. He’s in there [the penalty area] so much.
“You could play Trent there as well and he’d run it and both of them can come in here [central areas]. That’s the one thing, he plays this position week in and week out. Trent plays more from the right-back area coming onto things.”
The art of passing by Trent Alexander-Arnold. 🤌🏻pic.twitter.com/EUy9MD5XPP
— Boss Liverpool Goals (@BossLFCgoals) September 24, 2022
Despite Alexander-Arnold’s indifferent start, he’s still ranked as Liverpool’s third highest player this season on WhoScored, as discussed in an earlier article.
His passing range hasn’t deteriorated; he’s second for most passes into the final third and most passes into the opposition box.
There have been defensive lapses – it even saw the former French centre-back Frank Leboeuf claim that TAA is a ‘championship level’ defender.
Clearly, people have been happy to jump on the bandwagon of a few poor performances, but given the return of key players from injury and his current stats, we should see Alexander-Arnold regain his confidence and form.
