Man United legend Denis Irwin gives his verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool and his defending

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After his illustrious spell at Manchester United, Denis Irwin is widely remembered as one of the greatest full-backs to have ever graced the Premier League.

Much like Trent Alexander-Arnold, the United legend was blessed with the technical ability to take pinpoint set-pieces and play on both flanks.

The Irishman was ahead of his time, considering he played in an era where technically gifted full-backs who could be play on either side were a rarity.

But Denis Irwin managed to have a remarkable career in a Manchester United shirt, winning seven league titles, two FA Cups and the Champions League in the Red Devils’ unforgettable treble-winning campaign.

Alexander-Arnold has been deemed a unique full-back and had it not been for a trailblazer like the former Wolves defender, players like him may not have been handed the chance to play at the top level.

But Alexander-Arnold, whose technique was lauded by Dominic Solanke has taken on the mantle of the modern-day full-back and is the gold standard for other players in his position nowadays.

Denis Irwin compares Trent Alexander-Arnold to David Beckham

Real Madrid are chasing Alexander-Arnold’s signature, which goes to show how highly he is rated by some of the biggest and best names in the world of football.

Denis Irwin was quizzed about the full-backs in today’s day and age that he admires on Stick To Football’s The Overlap show.

As Irwin was asked about Alexander-Arnold, his instantly reply was: “Brilliant.”

The retired full-back went on to liken the Liverpool vice-captain to David Beckham: “Well, I think he’s David Beckham-esque in his delivery, you’ve got to say that. If you’re looking at the full picture as well, you know as a full-back, you can see the whole picture and his delivery is as good as I’ve seen anybody in the game, it really is.”

However, Roy Keane has slated Alexander-Arnold’s defending, a part of his game that tends to come under criticism and Denis Irwin admits that the 26-year-old can improve in this regard.

“You question that but that’s the modern-day full-back, isn’t it? United had kind of got at him last month, didn’t they in that kind of area.”

Denis Irwin added: “He should learn as you grow up and get better defensively but just in terms of attacking, he’s a modern-day full-back, isn’t he, he loves to go forward. And if you’re playing for anybody in the Premier League, you’ve got to be very comfortable on the ball now.”

In Liverpool’s recent 2-0 win against Brentford, Alexander-Arnold changed the game by assisting Darwin Nunez’s first goal as he continues to be a force to be reckoned with offensively.

David Beckham said Trent Alexander-Arnold is “very similar” to him

Alexander-Arnold would certainly appreciate Denis Irwin’s feedback and would feel honoured to have been compared to David Beckham by one of his former teammate.

Beckham himself said on Rio Ferdinand: Presents in October that the Reds hero is a similar player to him.

David Beckham explained: “I suppose if there was one player where I look at and I think he is very similar in how he delivers the ball, he’s very similar in the way he crosses the ball or passes, it has to be Trent.”

“In all honestly, he’s an exceptional player and when I look at player and I see myself in the way he puts the ball in, in what he sees, in the long balls he plays, he plays balls that some players don’t even think about.”

“And that’s what I love about him as a player.”

Interestingly, Alexander-Arnold’s passing has been deemed better than Beckham’s by Gary Lineker in the past.

The Champions League winner has been likened to other English icons in the past too,

Stuart Pearce compared Alexander-Arnold to Glenn Hoddle as well, which goes to show the incredible heights he has already hit in his career.