BBC broadcaster Gary Lineker recently heaped significant praise on Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold following his match-winning performance in the 3-2 win over West Ham United at Anfield earlier this week. The England legend shared a post on Twitter which read, “Said it for a long time, he’s gonna be one of this country’s greatest ever players.”
Said it for a long time, he’s gonna be one of this country’s greatest ever players. 👌🏻 https://t.co/t0TGxVUFPZ
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) February 25, 2020
The England international was once again responsible for creating most of his side’s goal-scoring opportunities in the victory versus the Hammers on Monday night. He managed to earn two assists in that game and was a constant menace with his ball-distribution from the right flank.
Alexander-Arnold Is Living The Liverpool Dream
Alexander-Arnold inspired his team to lift three major trophies last year and is in line to secure his first Premier League winner’s medal this season. His impact from the right-back position has been immense as he has carried most of Liverpool’s creative workload over the past 18 months. He has already scored two goals and earned 14 assists in 37 appearances for the Reds this term across all competitions.
The English youngster needs just one more assist this season to break his own world record for the category of ‘Most assists by a Premier League defender in a single season’. Alexander-Arnold has come a long way since making his debut for the Merseyside giants back in 2016.
The English Sensation’s Growing Influence In Jurgen Klopp’s First-Team
The 21-year-old has averaged 1.6 tackles, 1.3 interceptions and 2.1 clearances per game in the Premier League which goes to show that he is a very underrated defender (stats via whoscored). Alexander-Arnold has come under some criticism for his defensive frailties despite proving his worth time and time again as part of a Liverpool backline that has conceded just 17 goals in 27 league matches.
The Liverpool-born prospect is also averaging 1.3 shots, 2.7 key passes and 0.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in league football (stats via whoscored). His offensive numbers shouldn’t come as a surprise as it only highlights his growing influence in most of his team’s attacks going forward.
Alexander-Arnold has also secured nine international caps for the England national team and has netted one goal for his nation in the process. If he can replicate his club form at the international level, then there is no doubt that he will become one of the best players in the history of English football.
Does Alexander-Arnold Deserve So Much Critical Acclaim?
In an interview with the Mirror earlier this month, Brazilian legend Cafu also had words of admiration for Alexander-Arnold when he labelled the Liverpool defender as ‘one of the best in the world’.
With Alexander-Arnold cruising to his first league title, while breaking records along the way, it is no wonder that legendary figures like Cafu and Lineker are singing praises for the defender. Hence, we feel that the young right-back deserves all the acclaim he has been earning in recent weeks.
