Jamie Carragher has acknowledged that Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has proved him and Gary Neville wrong by continuing to develop into one of the best full-backs in the world.
The 21-year-old right-back has made 84 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals and contributing a remarkable 25 assists in that time, adding to his reputation as one of Europe’s best crossers of the ball.
After winning the Champions League last season, Alexander-Arnold has continued his fine form with 14 assists in 40 appearances and won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup this campaign.
And his development has been enough to convince Carragher that he was wrong to imply that full-back is the least desirable position on the pitch.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Football Show, Carragher was asked why fellow pundit Neville did not make his XI of the toughest opponents he faced as a player after opting for Brazil legend Cafu in the right-back slot.
Carragher responded: “Certainly if I was doing a Premier League XI he [Neville] would be really close.
"I think there’s a fella there who plays for Liverpool now who’s going to take that mantle from Gary.
"He was a young lad watching Monday Night Football when I said those immortal words: ‘no-one wants to grow up and be a Gary Neville’ and [it] looks like Trent Alexander-Arnold’s certainly proved me wrong and Gary Neville wrong in terms of ability-wise.
"I think in a few years time when we’re talking about Premier League XI’s it will be the lad from Liverpool and not the lad from Manchester.”
Alexander-Arnold is only one goal and ten assists away from matching Neville’s Premier League tallies, though his longevity will be tested if he is to better the former Manchester United man’s 400 top-flight appearances.
