Paul Merson has told the Daily Star that he picks Kyle Walker over Trent Alexander-Arnold as the Manchester City full-back would be ‘harder to beat’ than his Liverpool counterpart.
Alexander-Arnold’s attacking threat astounds Merson far more than what Walker offers in Pep Guardiola’s system. But the Arsenal hero would prefer to run at the Reds product than his England teammate when either are required to conduct their defensive responsibilities.
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Walker and Alexander-Arnold will likely share the Wembley pitch on Saturday as Liverpool and Manchester City clash in the FA Cup semi-final. The meeting will either end the Anfield side’s hopes of a quadruple, or dent the Sky Blues’ aspirations of a potential triple of titles.
Both Premier League meetings between the clubs this term ended as 2-2 draws. Liverpool have also failed to beat Manchester City in their last five meetings in all competitions since a 3-1 result at Anfield in November 2019. Three of the following five matches were drawn.
Walker opened both of the top-flight tussles between the title-chasing teams this term for Guardiola. Jurgen Klopp only started Alexander-Arnold against Manchester City earlier this month, as the Liverpool star missed October’s Merseyside encounter with a muscle injury.
Merson would pick Walker over ‘different class’ Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold has played 37 of Liverpool’s fixtures so far this term ahead of the FA Cup semi-final with Manchester City. The 23-year-old has also offered 18 assists, 12 in the top-flight, while Walker has provided both of his mere two over 30 total outings in the league.
But Merson would pick the £45m former Tottenham Hotspur defender over his Reds rival for what he offers defensively. Per SofaScore, Alexander-Arnold has been dribbled past 27 times and made 31 tackles in the Premier League so far this term to Walker’s nine and 15.
“Kyle Walker plays over Trent Alexander-Arnold for me just because if it was me, I’d rather play against Trent than Kyle Walker,” Merson said.
“Going forward, Trent is different class. But if I had to choose a full-back to go at, I’d pick him over Walker. I think Walker would be harder to beat.”
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