Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has earned a billing from Danny Murphy as English football’s best crosser of a ball since Manchester United legend David Beckham.
At just 20 years of age, the Anfield academy graduate has already made quite a name for himself on the senior stage.
His meteoric rise to prominence has seen the buccaneering defender become a mainstay in Jurgen Klopp’s plans and a regular part of Gareth Southgate’s England set-up.
Alexander-Arnold’s delivery from the flanks has made him a useful asset for club and country, with 16 assists recorded across all competitions last season – including his quick-thinking corner in a memorable Champions League semi-final clash with Barcelona.
He is already up and running for 2019-20, having teed up Divock Origi in a 4-1 win over Norwich, and is considered to have a touch of Beckham about him when it comes to picking out team-mates and set-piece ability.
Former Liverpool midfielder Murphy told talkSPORT : “Gareth Southgate’s got a massive headache but a good one – I think England have three of the best right-backs in Europe.
“We’re spoilt. We’ve got three wonderful right-backs – Kyle Walker, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka – there’s so much quality.
“Trent’s display of passing and technical ability that we’ve not seen in a full-back for many, many years.
“Trent, for me, is as good a crosser of the ball I’ve seen since David Beckham.
“His crossing is already as good as Beckham, definitely. His set plays and crossing are both phenomenal.
“His technical ability, his passing ability is very unusual for a full-back, normally it’s a midfielder who posses those type of quality.
“Ideally you want to see him as a wing-back. He gets caught out in defence sometimes, but he will create and make goals in whatever position he plays.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold is 20 years old and he’s played in the last two Champions League finals!
“He’s a Scouser living the dream and he’s technically superb.”
Alexander-Arnold has already taken in over 50 appearances in the Premier League, six outings for England and is a Champions League winner after helping Klopp’s side to down domestic rivals Spurs in a 2018-19 European showpiece in Madrid.