Trent-Alexander Arnold
Gary Lineker has sparked debate by claiming that Trent Alexander-Arnold surpasses David Beckham in terms of passing ability.
Beckham, revered as one of football's most exceptional playmakers, was famed for his precision in splitting defences and bending free kicks into the net from considerable distances. Yet, Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold has demonstrated such commanding skills with the ball that he has been hailed as the heir apparent to the former England skipper.
The Match of the Day presenter is convinced that the Reds full-back has it all. On The Rest is Football podcast, alongside Micah Richards and Alan Shearer, Lineker expressed his view: "I think just... Beckham is as good a crosser as I've ever seen, as is Trent. I just think Trent's range, like, the outside of the foot things, and with both feet as well, left foot."
By the age of 26, Alexander-Arnold has already clinched numerous honours, including the Premier League and Champions League, while Beckham boasts six league titles, two FA Cups, and a European Cup thanks to his tenure at Manchester United. Despite this, Beckham's footballing talent has often been eclipsed by his off-field celebrity status – a point Lineker did not overlook in the discussion, as per the Liverpool Echo.
"Do you know what about David Beckham? I think he's actually slightly underrated as a footballer," he added. "He's been such a celebrity and his life, obviously, with Victoria, and they've become this kind of global superstar couple. I think sometimes you forget how good a player David Beckham was.
"He emerged after my career had finished. And I used to get asked if there's one player you'd like to play with from the current game, who would it be? And I always said Beckham because his crossing I would have scored so many goals with David Beckham. So it's a tough one."
Shearer believes Beckham is a better passer but hailed Alexander-Arnold's astounding ability. Richards agreed: "I would say Beckham, just. And the reason why I say that is, when you play midfield, you've got less time to make them passes, where Trent sometimes when he goes from the right back into midfield, is almost sort of playing as a quarterback."
Linker then wrapped up the discussion: "Not much in it, but I might go Trent. Just, I think, just the all-around rage, the outside of the foot pass, the swerves. I think they're the best two English passes I've seen in the game, aside from probably Glenn Hoddle."
While football fans often heap praise on the Liverpool star for his lethal set piece skills and exceptional delivery, perhaps the most significant endorsement comes from Beckham himself. The 49-year-old has identified Alexander-Arnold as his contemporary successor.
"I suppose if there was one player where I look at and I think, 'he's very similar in the way he delivers the ball, he's very similar in the way he crosses the ball or passes', it has to be Trent," Beckham said to Rio Ferdinand on the ex-United defender's podcast.
"In all honesty, I think he's an unbelievable [player] – his vision, he's unbelievable. And he's an exceptional player, but when I look at a player and I think I see myself in the way he puts the ball in, what he sees in the long balls that he plays, you know he plays balls that some players don't even think about and that's what I love about him as a player."
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.