Joe Cole says Liverpool have a player who’ll always ‘make the difference’ – and didn’t cost Klopp a penny

Fri 8 April 2022 6:45, UK

BT Sport pundit Joe Cole has waxed lyrical about Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Premier League icon believes the Reds star is a better passer and crosser than David Beckham.

Cole also reckons Alexander-Arnold needs to be in the England team for the 2022 World Cup.

The 23-year-old, who came through the ranks at Liverpool, is one of the best right-backs in the world.

He has already clocked up 215 competitive appearances for the Reds and has won multiple trophies.

However, Alexander-Arnold’s role in the England squad isn’t quite as secure.

The Reds academy graduate is one of several world-class right-backs available to Gareth Southgate.

He also missed Euro 2020 due to injury and is often up against Chelsea’s Reece James for a starting spot.

“Beckham-like”

Alexander-Arnold shone for Liverpool in their Champions League quarter-final first-leg win over Benfica.

He helped the Reds grab their second goal in Lisbon.

Alexander-Arnold supplied a pinpoint pass to Luis Diaz from the right flank.

The Colombian duly headed the ball across the goal for Sadio Mane to tap in from close range.

“Look, it doesn’t need words,” Cole told , via the .

“It’s Beckham-like but I think he’s actually a better passer than Beckham, a better crosser than Beckham.

“That’s saying something because he was the best that I’d seen in my generation.”

Alexander-Arnold’s defensive abilities have sometimes been questioned regarding his role for England.

Cole called on Southgate to find a system that would allow the Lverpool man to thrive.

“The problem [England] have got, is we’ve also got Reece James,” he continued.

“It doesn’t matter who is better than who, what does matter is both of them need to be on the pitch in some kind of system.

“You cannot leave one of them out of the national team. They’ve both got outstanding attributes.

“Trent in a tight game is going to be the one to make the difference.”