Liverpool told they have a player with similar qualities to Lionel Messi
Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold has similar qualities to Argentina icon Lionel Messi.
That’s the view of TalkSPORT pundit Tony Cascarino. Speaking on the radio station after Trent put in a midfield masterclass for England on Friday night, Cascarino suggested that all of the World’s top international sides would pick the Liverpool man.
“There’s a strange sort of set of circumstances that because you do it against Malta, everyone thinks well, if you’re playing Germany in a quarter-final game in a World Cup, or Argentina, Brazil, would you still play Trent in there?” queried the pundit.
“They would play him [the other teams], we all know that they would. Lionel Messi spent most of the World Cup walking around. Am I comparing Trent to Lionel Messi? No, but he’s got qualities that aren’t far off him.
“We’re all looking at Trent and thinking, ‘well that’s what we know he can do.’ But can he improve on that? That’s the big question.”
Trent shines for England
It’s actually quite strange to hear so much praise of Trent following an international break. Despite the 24-year-old’s incredible talent, he’s had a really subdued England career so far.
Friday saw him pick up only his 19th cap for the Three Lions. Inevitably, Alexander-Arnold showed just what Gareth Southgate has been missing by rifling in a lovely long-range effort.
Deployed in a full-time midfield role, Liverpool’s No.66 pulled the strings against a poor Malta side, all while wearing Messi’s No.10 shirt. Inevitably, this has led to people calling for Trent to make his switch to midfield a permanent one.
Whether he does that or not is likely to depend on Jurgen Klopp. The Liverpool boss appears to have no desire to put his right-back completely in midfield, preferring the hybrid full-back role we saw last season.
But, truthfully, we can’t see why not. Yes, Alexander-Arnold’s deliveries are an enormous weapon for Liverpool in wide areas. Should he play on the right of a midfield three for the Reds though, he’d still be asked to get up and down the line, a la Jordan Henderson.
Trent really does look to have all the tools needed to be the missing link for Liverpool in midfield. Passing, athleticism, tackling, defensive duties, the Scouser has it all. If Jurgen finally sees that, he’ll surely keep his place in the England midfield.
But, if as expect, Klopp prefers to keep him at right-back, you can’t see Southgate playing Alexander-Arnold in midfield on a regular basis. Unleash him Jurgen, let him be Liverpool’s very own little Leo.
Have something to tell us about this article?