Trent Alexander-Arnold puts England debate to bed with moment of Liverpool magic

Trent Alexander-Arnold did not even make the bench for England’s last Nations League game against Germany but scored a belting free-kick for Liverpool against Rangers

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Liverpool Rangers Mip-633c70da3d77437524fbf682 Oct 04 2022 19 50 03

Trent Alexander-Arnold sank to his knees in celebration.

It was a special moment from a special player who has found himself at the heart of a national debate.

And yet magical, dazzling pieces of brilliance like his stunning free-kick only go to show what England will be missing if Gareth Southgate does not unleash him at the World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold did not even make the bench for England’s last Nations League game against Germany and that prompted Jurgen Klopp to launch a passionate defence of his right back.

Liverpool boss Klopp made it clear that he is willing to build his whole team around Alexander-Arnold – defensive frailties or not – and his stunning free-kick spoke louder than any words.

It was a goal worthy of winning any game and made all the more precious because it settled any possible nerves and made it a very one-sided affair.

The so-called Battle of Britain – incredibly it was the first ever competitive meeting between these two giants in all their years of European competition – fell a bit flat because Rangers were so obviously second best.

It was Alexander-Arnold who set the tone for Liverpool because then you could see some of their confidence slowly returning after such a slow start to the season.

Thiago was back to pinging long-range passes, Jordan Henderson marshalling midfield and at least Darwin Nunez was looking sharper again and was substituted late on to a big ovation even though he could not get himself on the score sheet.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold netted a stunning goal for Liverpool (

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Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Luis Diaz was relentless as he never stopped running, and was Liverpool’s most dangerous player on a night when their keeper Alisson was rarely threatened.

And Anfield really came alive after just seven minutes with Alexander-Arnold’s brilliance with his stunning 20-yard free-kick which was the best piece of individual skill you will see this or any other Champions League week.

The bizarre thing about it was that Alexander-Arnold took an eternity to line it up, it looked pretty obvious to everyone inside the stadium where the ball was going and still the keeper got nowhere near it.

Maybe that had something to do with Rangers keeper Allan McGregor being the wrong side of 40 – he is the fifth oldest player to play in the Champions League – and was not able to get off the ground.

Or more likely, the free kick was just so good – hit with so much pace and yet precise enough to get up and over the wall – that two keepers could not have stopped it.

Incredibly, Alexander-Arnold has scored with six direct free kicks since the 2016/17 season which is more than any other Liverpool player. England not making use of Alexander-Arnold this winter seems unthinkable.

From then on, it almost became a duel between Nunez and McGregor who, in fairness to him, looked much more agile as the game wore on and he made save after save to deny the £85m forward.

Liverpool got a second after 53 minutes from Mo Salah’s penalty. Diaz charged through the Rangers’ defence, was sandwiched between Leon King and John Lundstram and the Liverpool forward went sprawling. Up stepped Salah to fire straight down the middle.

Kostas Tsimikas made a heroic clearance from Rabbi Matondo’s cross-shot and then Alisson blocked Antonio Colak’s shot. But it was too little too late for the visitors and Liverpool finished the night looking in much better shape.

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