Right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is Liverpool’s best player. The 21-year-old scouse fullback is invaluable to the league leaders.
It’s important to clarify that “best”, in this context, does not mean most skilled or talented. These are titles would be inevitably held by defender Virgil Van Dijk or winger Mohamed Salah. Instead, “best” refers to most impactful on both sides of the ball.
In this case, Alexander Arnold has no equal. This is a player that impacts Liverpool’s game like no other.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is Key to Liverpool’s Success
‘Scouse Beckham’
It’s just before half time in the Merseyside derby when Alexander Arnold picks up the ball. In a blink of an eye, the young fullback runs half the length of the field before he sets up winger Sadio Mane. The Senegalese calmly tucks away the chance to make it 4-1 to the Reds.
Anfield is overjoyed. But for Alexander Arnold, it’s just another showing of his considerable offensive prowess.
Not many players find themselves in the Guinness Book of World Records. Alexander Arnold is one of those. He was given this award for racking up 12 assists last season- the most ever for a defender.
Some of those assists came from set-pieces where Alexander Arnold excels. He is the primary corner and free-kick taker for the league leaders and it’s easy to see why. His long balls find their mark an impressive 44 percent of the time and his pass accuracy is an impressive 61 percent in the opposition half. Stats like that are the reason why many are comparing him to David Beckham.
Even more shockingly, Alexander Arnold is on track to beat his own record. He already has six assists this season and it’s only December.
In a way, the young man is fulfilling his hero Steven Gerrard’s prophecy.
“Trent Arnold has a terrific chance of making it as a top professional,” Gerrard said of a 16-year-old Alexander Arnold in his autobiography. “He’s quite leggy but he’s got a lovely frame and seems to have all the attributes you need.”
And while many players may have wilted after praise from a club legend like Steven Gerrard, Alexander Arnold is embracing it.
Top Defender
For all his offensive prowess, Alexander Arnold more than holds his own on the defensive end. He never fails to track back and secure the rearguard.
This season, the young man is averaging more than two tackles a game and an interception. He also hasn’t made a single error that has led to a goal. He hardly gets dribbled past and he hasn’t been booked a single time.
On top of all that, despite not being the biggest, he wins over 60 percent of all his duals.
Stats like this are part of the reason why manager Jurgen Klopp was so glowing with his praise ahead of the young scousers one-hundredth game.
“Trent has a mix of personal education, football education, character, skills, attitude, mentality, and he is on top of all that”, Klopp said to reporters. “He is absolutely a scouser in the best understanding. It’s a big task and a big job to be a scouser as a Liverpool player because you are responsible for pretty much everything. So he has all the good things.”
Looking Forward
At 21-years-old, Alexander Arnold can only get better. He is already Liverpool’s best player. No one has his mix of attacking talent and defensive skills. It may be a cliché, but the world is truly at this young man’s feet.
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