Danny Murphy’s theory on why Trent Alexander-Arnold will never win the Ballon d’Or

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown his versatility, operating both at right-back and in the centre of midfield, but individual awards have eluded him

Danny Murphy has given his thoughts on the Ballon d’Or (

Image: BBC)

Even at the peak of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s powers, the England international was nowhere near Ballon d’Or recognition, and former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy suggested the right-back’s position is to blame.

Alexander-Arnold, who came through Liverpool’s academy before making his debut as a teenager, played a starring role during the Reds’ run to Champions League glory in 2019. It was his quickly-taken corner that created Divock Origi’s winner against Barcelona in the semis, sealing a remarkable comeback after a 3-0 first-leg defeat at Camp Nou.

The following season, things got even better for player and club. Liverpool won the Premier League at a canter, with victories in 26 of their first 27 games, and Alexander-Arnold ended the campaign with 13 league assists from full-back.

‘From full-back’ is the operative phrase, though. World Cup winner Cafu hailed Alexander-Arnold in the 2019-20 season, backing him for Ballon d’Or glory, but Murphy moved to play down the idea.

“I think he could’ve praised him without talking about the Ballon d’Or,” Murphy told talkSPORT in 2020. “The Ballon d’Or is generally for the goalscorers and the superstars isn’t it? But he is a wonderful, wonderful talent.

“He won’t win the Ballon d’Or. I think even in a midfield position it’s difficult. Can he score goals from midfield and bend in free-kicks and open defences with his passing? Yes.

“But will that ever be enough to be enough to win a Ballon d’Or? [Luka] Modric won one, didn’t he? Yeah, it’s possible, you never say never, but I don’t think so.”

Can a full-back win the Ballon d’Or? Have your say in the comments section

Trent Alexander-Arnold has occupied a variety of roles for Liverpool (

Image:

PA)

Ultimately, Alexander-Arnold didn’t win the Ballon d’Or in 2020, but no one did. The individual award wasn’t handed out that year following the interruption to football caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, with Lionel Messi winning the following edition in 2021 after leading Argentina to Copa Libertadores glory.

Karim Benzema came out on top the following year, with Messi on top again in 2023 off the back of his World Cup success the prior December. The last time a defender won the award was all the way back in 2006 when Italy’s World Cup-winning centre-back Fabio Cannavaro was victorious.

Alexander-Arnold was used in more of a hybrid role by Liverpool last season and has stepped into midfield at times this term. And, while that might not be enough for a Ballon d’Or in Murphy’s mind, Reds boss Jurgen Klopp has opened up on the new responsibilities for his number 66.

Liverpool’s full-backs played a big role in their 2019-20 title win (

Image:

POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

“After we put him in this flexible role [at the end of last season], everyone told us he should play completely in midfield without saying why,” Klopp said during pre-season. “It’s a completely different position to the one he played last season, or he played for England because it’s a holding position. You have to organise much more.

“Trent can play the position – it depends on who is on the left and right of him. We really thought it was a very good and important thing to do this pre-season. We still want to try it with Trent as a right-back again. Then we’ll see how we’ll start the season.”

With record Ballon d’Or winner Messi nearing the end of his career, we may soon learn whether the next crop of winners are also forwards or whether there might be space for a full-back to crash the party. Others may feel they have more of a claim, though – not least Liverpool’s very own Mohamed Salah.

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