TAA picks best footballer but SNUBS Salah in 'football bracket' knockout game

Trent Alexander-Arnold has chosen his best footballer in the world - but it's not Liverpool team-mate Mo Salah.

While he preferred Salah to one of Tottenham's legends, he couldn't justify handing the global crown to the Egyptian sensation.

The injured Liverpool star used some of his spare time to take part in a 'football bracket' challenge for JD Sports on TikTok.

The challenge invites participants to whittle down a list of 16 players to their favourite, formatted as a knockout tournament with stars put head-to-head.

Alexander-Arnold's final was a showdown between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and he didn't hesitate to give his answer.

Almost instantly, he nodded his head in the direction of Messi's photo, indicating that he thinks the Argentina star is the greatest player in the world.

Salah had been beaten in the semi-finals by Ronaldo, a decision which Alexander-Arnold had looked reluctant about, while Messi had trumped Karim Benzema.

But Salah, who missed Liverpool's 4-1 win over Luton at Anfield on Wednesday night, can't be too aggrieved.

That's because he beat Harry Kane in an epic round of 16 clash in Alexander-Arnold's imagined universe, a colossal victory that's sure to send Tottenham fans into paroxysms of rage.

Alexander-Arnold is due back in around early March after suffering another knee injury.

It's his third injury setback of the season and fans have questioned Liverpool's medical department after repeated woes for Jurgen Klopp's side.

Conor Bradley has filled in superbly for Alexander-Arnold, bringing so much creativity so the right-back position, but it hurts not to have their vice-captain available.

It means he will miss this Sunday's clash with Chelsea in the Carabao Cup final, despite proving again this season that he is made for big moments, for example with his goal against Manchester City.

Klopp faces an extensive injury list for the cup final at Wembley.

Salah is being assessed 'day by day' and could play, but that's as optimistic as it gets.

Alexander-Arnold, Diogo Jota, Alisson, Joel Matip, Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago, Curtis Jones, Ben Doak, and Stefan Bajcetic are all out.