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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
David Irvine

Liverpool's Alexander-Arnold names ex-Rangers ace who 'destroyed' him

Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed he was once schooled by former Rangers and Hibs winger Brandon Barker.

The Liverpool full-back named Barker when he was quizzed on youth players he faced and found difficult to play against but might not be a household name.

And on the We Are Liverpool podcast, Alexander-Arnold quickly recalled a nightmare 60 minutes against Barker for the under-21 side.

Playing at Anfield for the first time, the defender came up against Barker who was playing for Manchester City's youth team.

And the winger ran Alexander-Arnold ragged scoring twice and assisting once in a 3-0 win.

Quizzed on the best youth players he faced - who might not have reached the peak - Alexander-Arnold explained: “I would say Brandon Barker, played for Manchester City. I was 18, playing for the Under-21s, my first ever time, Anfield, got beat 3-0. He scored two and got an assist. I came off at 60.

“Still to this day, [he’s] still the opponent I think that just destroyed me, man. I’ve never had it like that before.

"At that point, I’m thinking ‘this kid is going to be the best player in the world’ because I’d never seen someone move so quickly and sharp and effectively, so I’d say Brandon Barker.”

It comes after Andy Halliday named Barker as one of the best trainers he has ever seen. On Open Goal, the Hearts midfielder singled out the winger for praise for his training ground displays.

He said: "Brandon Barker. One of the best trainers I have ever seen.

"I know for a fact if you ask anyone who has played with him at any club - whether it's Hibs or Preston - they'd all say the same thing.

"Josh Ginelly when he came to Hearts, had played with him at Preston, and he said the exact same thing.

"He said: 'Brandon Barker was the best I've ever seen in training'."

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