Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has previously discussed the best player he’s ever seen in the flesh, saying it was a “different feeling” playing against him than anyone else in world football.
It was widely reported last week that Real Madrid are working towards completing a transfer for Alexander Arnold, who is out of contract at Premier League leaders Liverpool this summer.
The 26-year-old has already agreed personal terms with Los Blancos over a five-year deal worth in excess of £220,000-per-week, according to talkSPORT, who claim the defender has been discussions with Los Blancos since January.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot broke his silence on Alexander-Arnold being linked with a move ahead of the Merseyside derby on Wednesday.
Asked whether he was worried that the full-back could leave in the coming months, Slot replied: “No. It’s a situation that is there for eight or nine months now and I think that all these players have performed so well for us.”
Amid the ongoing links, some quotes from Alexander-Arnold have resurfaced around the best player he’s ever seen live.
Speaking to the Daily Mirror last year, the England international explained why Barcelona legend Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time.
“It has to be Messi for me. The best player I’ve played against. The best player that’s ever played the game. To imagine anyone better than what I’ve been able to see, my brain doesn’t comprehend it. There’s no way anyone can be better,” he said.
“Lionel Messi is the greatest to ever play this game. There’s just a different feeling playing against him that I’ve ever felt with anyone else. You’re always on red alert when the ball is near him, I think it’s very rare for a player to king of put that feeling into other players so, for that reason I have to say it’s him.”
Alexander-Arnold added: “For me, I think in many, many aspects of the game, he’s probably the best at any given moment, he can almost do what he wants on a football pitch so for that reason he’s the best.”
Messi is the greatest of all time, according to Alexander-Arnold. Image credit: Getty
Asked about the best player he has worked with, Alexander-Arnold went with Liverpool talisman Mohamed Salah. “Just his consistency, from the minute he first came in to this very day,” he said.
“The consistency, he’s never dropped, ever. I think it’s remarkable what he goes and does and achieves, and a testament to his hard work and to his dedication to the game and to his craft that I’m able to witness on a daily basis.”
He added: “Just that relentless drive of pushing himself day by day to get better and improve and break every record in sight.”
