Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold was the subject of discussion yesterday as Joe Cole spoke for ITV at the World Cup.
The 41-year-old, who made 42 appearances for Liverpool, questioned if the £160,000-a-week man is good enough to play in a back four against the world’s best attackers.
Speaking on ITV, Cole said: “Would you play him in a back four against Mbappe? Probably not.”
Now, the Liverpool No.66 has every right to be baffled by that comment.
Alexander-Arnold has proven himself at Liverpool
In our view, some pundits speak about Alexander-Arnold as if he’s never played against any elite players.
Cole must be forgetting that the 24-year-old has already gone directly up against Mbappe for Liverpool during the 2018/19 Champions League campaign, and actually came out on top as the Reds won 3-2 at Anfield.
As WhoScored shows, Alexander-Arnold registered five successful tackles up against the France international, more than any other player on the pitch, and still managed to have an impact going forward with three crosses, two shots and two dribbles to his name.
Mbappe did get on the scoresheet in that game, although it came after he moved centrally in the latter stages of the match to escape the clutches of the England international.
Alexander-Arnold went on to win the Champions League that season, showcasing his quick thinking to grab two assists in that dramatic 4-0 win over Barcelona in the semi-final, including that famous corner for Divock Origi.
The Liverpool academy graduate then managed to keep Heung-min Son quiet in the final, and also shackled Cristiano Ronaldo in the 2018 Champions League final, only for Loris Karius to cost Jürgen Klopp’s side dearly.
Alexander-Arnold could be a difference maker for England
Alexander-Arnold’s abilities seem perfectly suited to tournament football, as we saw during that aforementioned Champions League run, specifically that incredible corner for Origi.
The Liverpool No.66 can be a difference maker, and Gareth Southgate must give serious consideration to getting him involved in England’s World Cup campaign.
Of course, Kieran Trippier is not a bad option to have at right-back, although Alexander-Arnold is capable of those special moments which can decide games at the highest level, something he has already proven for Liverpool
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