Bayern Munich defender Benjamin Pavard has told Canal+, via the Independent, he is one of the best right-backs in the world and is better than Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Frenchman declares himself to be a more complete option at full-back than Alexander-Arnold and Paris Saint-Germain’s Achraf Hakimi. Pavard believes managers can see that in his ability, so is not often used at centre-back despite spending his earlier years in the role.
Pavard first established himself at right-back during the 2019/20 term, after joining Bayern Munich from Stuttgart for £31m. The Bavarian outfit utilise the 25-year-old differently to Jurgen Klopp with Alexander-Arnold or Mauricio Pochettino with Hakimi, however.
While PSG and Liverpool utilise Hakimi and Alexander-Arnold for their offensive expertise, Bayern Munich rely on Pavard’s defensive prowess. Regardless, the 2018 World Cup winner believes he does not get the recognition for what he offers in the role.
“Great coaches put me at right-back because they have confidence in my abilities,” Pavard said. “It is not because of my beautiful eyes or my hair. On paper, Pavard is perhaps less sexy than Hakimi or Alexander-Arnold, but I think that defensively I am more complete.”
Liverpool fans react to Pavard comments comparing himself to Alexander-Arnold
But while Pavard believes he deserves more respect, some Liverpool fans reacting on social media disagree with his comparison to Alexander-Arnold or PSG’s Hakimi. That’s because they do not consider the Frenchman comparable with the more attacking right-back duo.
Others also added that Pavard should be considered a better right-back defensively than Alexander-Arnold, for example, as that is not where the Liverpool ace thrives. Additionally, Pavard is notably less productive than the Reds product in an attacking sense.
While Alexander-Arnold offered nine assists in 45 games for Liverpool last season, Bayern Munich ace Pavard has only offered 11 in 106 career games at right-back with a personal season-best of seven in 2019/20. Alexander-Arnold’s 2020/21 return was his worst since the 23-year-old’s first season as a first-team Liverpool regular with three in 29 in 2017/18.
So, here are some of the responses Liverpool fans offered to Pavard claiming he’s the more complete right-back to Alexander-Arnold…
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