Garth Crooks claims Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is a ‘serious threat’ to Kyle Walker’s international future

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Both Liverpool and Manchester City left it late to secure some much-needed three points during their respective Premier League games over the weekend.

Garth Crooks has claimed that Liverpool’s ‘extraordinary’ defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is a ‘serious threat’ to Kyle Walker’s international future.

Manchester City defender Walker has been left out of Gareth Southgate’s previous two England squads, with Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold and Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier selected ahead of him.

Over the weekend, both Alexander-Arnold and Walker produced outstanding displays as their teams left it late to secure wins against Aston Villa and Southampton respectively.

Former striker Crooks picked Walker ahead of Alexander-Arnold in his Team of the Week, as he warned that the City player will be up for the ‘challenge’ in regards to pipping ahead of him on the international stage.

“Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold would, under normal circumstances, have made my TOTW ahead of Kyle Walker,” Crooks told BBC Sport. “The Liverpool full-back was outstanding against Aston Villa, but so was Walker against a Southampton side who were at times quite brilliant.

“Alexander-Arnold demonstrated his extraordinary two-footedness and why he is such a serious threat to Walker’s international future. Walker, on the other hand, looks like he’s prepared to take on Alexander-Arnold’s challenge.

“The former Tottenham defender provided the assist and scored City’s winner, which may keep Alexander-Arnold and the Reds from getting their hands on that elusive title. I don’t think Walker is ready to completely relinquish his England position just yet either.”

Both attack-minded fullbacks will come up against each other on Sunday when Liverpool host Pep Guardiola’s side at Anfield.

The Reds currently hold a six-point lead at the top of the Premier League table, and three points here will give them a lead which will see many people backing them to lift the title next May.

It has to be remembered that City came from behind to lift the Premier League title last season, so there’s no reason why they cannot do it again, but Klopp’s men will want to showcase that they themselves have learnt from last season’s heartbreak.