David Beckham's feelings towards Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold say it all

David Beckham struck a ball more sweetly than most footballers in history have done - but he thinks Trent Alexander-Arnold gives him a run for his money for Liverpool and England

David Beckham sees Trent Alexander-Arnold as the most similar modern-day version of himself.

While questions have been asked about the Liverpool and England right-back's defensive qualities, his ability on the ball is second to none - much like Beckham 's during his playing career. He excelled under former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp.

The attacking threat he provided played a crucial role in their Champions League and Premier League triumphs, not to mention the six other trophies won during Klopp's reign. That success hasn't translated onto the international stage for him yet.

But Alexander-Arnold does look to have a bright future for the Three Lions. And one of the country's greatest-ever players was full of praise for him when appearing on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast.

Speaking to his former Manchester United team-mate, Beckham picked the 26-year-old as the current player he thinks is most like him. "I suppose if there was one player where I look at and I think, 'he's very similar in the way he delivers the ball, he's very similar in the way he crosses the ball or passes', it has to be Trent," he told Rio Ferdinand Presents.

"In all honesty, I think he's an unbelievable [player] - his vision, he's unbelievable. And he's an exceptional player, but when I look at a player and I think I see myself in the way he puts the ball in, what he sees in the long balls that he plays, you know he plays balls that some players don't even think about and that's what I love about him as a player."

Alexander-Arnold received set-piece some advice from Beckham first-hand when he visited the England camp at the Qatar World Cup. The ex-Real Madrid and AC Milan midfielder urged him to remain consistent, just as Sir Alex Ferguson had done with him.

"When I was at United, Ferguson, the moment he saw me off a little bit, with either my run-up or the smoothness of kicking it, he’d pull me back in,” Beckham said. “He’d know exactly what I was doing wrong.

“So I just kept doing the same thing over and over again. Never changed it. Continuous. It’s simple, but so important. But you’re obviously doing it. Just keep doing whatever you’re doing, because you can cross a ball!"

Alexander-Arnold could well follow in his footsteps and head to the Spanish capital to start a new chapter of his career next summer. His contract at Anfield expires comes the end of this season, and Real are reportedly interested in making him Dani Carvajal's long-term successor.

Listen to the full Rio Meets Becks interview on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

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