Man United legend Denis Irwin has chimed in on a tasty Liverpool debate.
Irwin was himself one of the very best during his long and successful stint at Old Trafford. Making over 500 appearances for United, he’s one of the all-time Premier League greats.
The Irishman was recently quizzed on some of the best current-day full-backs in Europe, with the two Liverpool legends coming up.
Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold have had phenomenal Liverpool careers. They were ever-present during the years of Jurgen Klopp, and pivotal in last season’s title triumph under Arne Slot, forming arguably the best full-back partnership we have seen — full stop.
But who does Irwin think is better?
Andy Robertson closer to world-class than Trent Alexander-Arnold according to Denis Irwin
Neither Robertson nor Alexander-Arnold have been playing much this season. The Scotsman has made way for new signing Milos Kerkez, and it has cast doubt over Robertson’s Liverpool future.
His former partner in crime has been injured for most of his time in the Spanish capital, a fact no one on Merseyside will lament.
But it’s Robertson who is held in higher regard by Irwin.
He told ESPN: “Love Robertson as a defender. You know, he’s done brilliantly for Liverpool, our biggest rivals. World-class? Yeah, wouldn’t be too far off it.”
Name a better Liverpool left-back than Andy Robertson!
Robertson is set to become a free agent this summer, who should replace the defender?
On Alexander-Arnold, he explained: “These are unbelievably good players, but world-class? No.”
Trent was undoubtedly the bigger name during their spell together at Anfield, but Robbo was right up there with him in terms of quality. Ahead, according to one of the great full-backs of the Premier League era.
Denis Irwin’s questionable full-back assessments
It wasn’t just Robertson and Alexander-Arnold he was deciding on. New Liverpool stars Jeremie Frimpong and Kerkez were among the names mentioned as well.
Irwin’s full list of answers:
| Achraf Hakimi – potentially Nuno Mendes – no Jules Kounde – no Trent Alexander-Arnold – no Dani Carvajal – no Joao Cancelo – no Denzel Dumfries – no Jeremie Frimpong – no | Reece James – potentially Jurrien Timber – no Pedro Porro – no Marc Cucurella – no Milos Kerkez – potentially Andy Robertson – not far off Alfonso Davies – no Destiny Udogie – no |
A tough critic, it has to be said.
Nice to see Kerkez getting recognition from Liverpool fans and now from legends of the game as well. Spare a thought, however, for PSG’s Mendes who has been harshly snubbed.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
