Trent Alexander-Arnold received high praise from David Beckham (Image: X/@England)
David Beckham has explained why he loves watching Trent Alexander-Arnold play for Liverpool FC and England. The Three Lions legend heaped high praise on the right-back.
Alexander-Arnold has enjoyed a stellar career already aged 26. He was as key as any other player to the success Jurgen Klopp had on Merseyside, including their Champions League and Premier League triumphs.
His defensive capabilities have come under scrutiny over the years, and that’s played a part in his international progress being halted. But on the ball, barely anyone can rival his quality.
Beckham knows what that’s like, which is why he chose Alexander-Arnold as the player who he believes is the most similar to him in the modern game on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.
Speaking to his former Manchester United team-mate, he said: “I suppose if there was one player where I look at and I think, ‘he’s very similar in the way he delivers the ball, he’s very similar in the way he crosses the ball or passes’, it has to be Trent.
“In all honesty, I think he’s an unbelievable [player] – his vision, he’s unbelievable. And he’s an exceptional player, but when I look at a player and I think I see myself in the way he puts the ball in, what he sees in the long balls that he plays, you know he plays balls that some players don’t even think about and that’s what I love about him as a player.”
Beckham’s delivery was always second to none (Image: Getty)
Alexander-Arnold previously received some words of wisdom from Beckham himself. They crossed paths at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Beckham visiting the England camp.
He took time to speak with Alexander-Arnold about set pieces, an important facet of both their games. The former Real Madrid and AC Milan star urged the importance of consistency, an ethos hammered into him by Sir Alex Ferguson.
Beckham said: “When I was at United, Ferguson, the moment he saw me off a little bit, with either my run-up or the smoothness of kicking it, he’d pull me back in. He’d know exactly what I was doing wrong.
Alexander-Arnold’s set piece prowess was exemplified with his free-kick goal against Finland (Image: Getty)
“So I just kept doing the same thing over and over again. Never changed it. Continuous. It’s simple, but so important. But you’re obviously doing it. Just keep doing whatever you’re doing, because you can cross a ball!”
There’s potential for Alexander-Arnold to follow in Beckham’s footsteps and head to the Spanish capital next summer when his Liverpool contract expires. Real are reportedly interested in signing him on a free transfer.
Listen to the full Rio Meets Becks interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1963029/david-beckham-opinion-trent-alexander-arnold-liverpool