Jamie Carragher has claimed Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is better than Manchester City centre-back John Stones at pushing into midfield.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the Reds annihilated Leeds United 6-1 last night, the Anfield legend was full of praise for the 24-year-old – who put in a Man of the Match performance in his new role.
“But for me, watching him in midfield, getting more involved, running the game, I think this is almost perfect for him,” Carragher said of Alexander-Arnold.
“We’re talking about John Stones at the moment doing this brilliantly for Manchester City.
“Now, Trent’s a better passer of the ball than John Stones.
“John Stones is great and has great composure on the ball, but in terms of defence splitting passes, no – that’s what this lad’s got.
“And there’s only Kevin de Bruyne in the Premier League who is better than him at what we’ve just seen.”
Carragher full or praise for Alexander-Arnold
Against Arsenal and now Leeds, Jurgen Klopp has decided to use Alexander-Arnold in an inverted full-back role.
This means when Liverpool are out of possession, the Scouser continues to play right-back as normal.
However, when the Reds are in possession of the ball, he pushes into the midfield alongside the number six.
This allows him to get onto the ball more in pockets of space to then utilise his incredible passing abilities.
As mentioned by Carragher, Stones has enjoyed success in this role for City lately, but what Alexander-Arnold did against Leeds yesterday was on another level.
The £160,000-a-week superstar seems reinvigorated in his new position; something the club need to rebuild around this summer.