Danny Higginbotham hails Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold’s set-piece quality

Add as preferred source on Google

Former Premier League defender Danny Higginbotham has hailed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s influence in the Liverpool team, branding his set-piece delivery ‘up there with the best I’ve ever seen’.

Alexander-Arnold has carved out a huge reputation for his quality over a dead-ball situation in recent times.

The 21-year-old is the team’s main taker, and has been responsible for many of the 31 goals the Reds have scored since the start of last season – which is more than anybody else.

Alexander-Arnold’s threat is widely known now, but Higginbotham delivered a rave review of the England international for Sky Sports.

He said: “He has got one of the best deliveries in world football at the moment. It’s absolutely incredible. It’s not a case of saying, ‘Does a player run around the back? Does a player come around the front?’ It’s just the delivery.

“I can tell you now that when Liverpool have a set-piece and that ball is coming into the box, there are four or five players who believe they are going to score. Firstly, because they have done it before. Secondly, because of the delivery of Alexander-Arnold.

“His set-piece delivery is absolutely sensational. It’s up there with the best I have ever seen – it’s that good.”

Alexander-Arnold’s dead-ball potency has helped him amass 12 assists in all competitions so far in 2019/20, and he’s on course to surpass the 16 he registered last term.

TBR’s view – TAA Liverpool’s not so secret weapon

Alexander-Arnold is certainly a master of his craft now, and it must be a nightmare for teams to try and defend that kind of whipped cross he so often uses.

Everybody knows the threat he carries but, like Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City, there is sometimes very little than can be done to prevent a Liverpool goal.

Reds supporters must take great comfort from the notion the team might not be playing well, but one Alexander-Arnold free-kick or corner could easily result in a goal against the run of play.