Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole has labelled as a “better passer” than David Beckham after his recent display against Benfica.
The right-back supplied a pinpoint pass to Luis Diaz from the right flank, who headed the ball across the goal for Sadio Mane to tap in from close range. Though it did not add to his incredible tally of 17 assists so far this season, the 23-year-old has been an undeniable creative force for the Reds .
Such is the mastery of Alexander-Arnold ’s passing ability, that Cole was forced to admit that the Liverpool defender is better than former England captain David Beckham. And Cole was not alone, with ex-Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand also heaping praise on the right-back.
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“Look, it doesn’t need words. It’s Beckham-like but I think he’s actually a better passer than Beckham, a better crosser than Beckham,” Cole told BT Sport . “That’s saying something because he was the best that I’d seen in my generation.”
Ferdinand added: “Trent is as good a passer as anyone on the planet right now, I don’t care. When I saw one of his passes yesterday, I was screaming. And it’s not usually passes that do that to me. It’s out of order the way he passes the ball. It’s not only the execution, it’s the vision.”
While Alexander-Arnold is universally accepted as an integral part of Jurgen Klopp’s side, a different narrative has followed him at international level , with questions often raised surrounding his defensive ability and the options available to Gareth Southgate. However, Cole was quick to dismiss those arguments and called on the England manager to find a system that would allow the Lverpool man to thrive.
“The problem [England] have got, is we’ve also got Reece James,” he continued. “It doesn’t matter who is better than who, what does matter is both of them need to be on the pitch in some kind of system.
“You cannot leave one of them out of the national team. They’ve both got outstanding attributes. Trent in a tight game is going to be the one to make the difference.”
