Former Manchester United man Rafael feels it is only a matter of time before Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold surpasses the level of Premier League legend Gary Neville.
Rafael, who played with Neville during his spell at Old Trafford, has risked the wrath of United fans by admitting the Liverpool youngster is on such a trajectory that he is 'destroying the Premier League.'
The Brazilian offered his thoughts to ESPN during a recent interview, outlining how Neville still remains the level to aim for, for all aspiring full-backs coming through in the professional game.
When asked to choose between Alexander-Arnold and former team-mate Neville, Rafael replied: ‘Today I would pick Gary Neville but if Alexander-Arnold keeps doing what he’s doing he will pass Gary Neville by far.
‘At the moment he’s just destroying the Premier League with assists, with everything. I have to be honest. So if he keeps going like that he’s going to pass Gary Neville as a footballer.
‘When Gary Neville was young he maybe didn’t have the same qualities, wasn’t doing the same things that Alexander-Arnold was doing but he kept doing what he did for 12-13 years in Manchester and England.
‘I hope Alexander-Arnold keeps playing well, not against Manchester United for sure, but if he keeps doing that he will for sure pass Gary Neville.’
In 29 league games this season Alexander-Arnold remarkably boasts 12 assists and two goals.
In January the Liverpudlian became the first ever defender to register 10 assists in consecutive seasons, showcasing his rise as one of the world's most potent attacking full backs.
In doing so Alexander-Arnold equalled the all-time record as set by Cesc Fabregas', to sit as only the second player in Premier League history to reach 10 assists in two separate seasons aged 21 or younger.
Rafael's view on Alexander-Arnold is shared by one of his former rivals, Jamie Carragher, who has backed the 21-year-old to reinvent the full-back position for future generations.
Alexander-Arnold has a long way to go to emulate Neville, who won 17 major honours with Manchester United, but Carragher believes he will surpass the level of his former rival and now Sky colleague.
'I think there is a young lad at Liverpool who will take that mantle from Neville,' Carragher told Sky Sports.
'I once said how people don’t grow up wanting to be Gary Neville but I think a lad from Liverpool will change that.'
swinglerontoast
0
Nope awb
nope TAA is better in many ways
Tobisma_LFC
0
He had 2 EPL medals
TAA has more achievements at 20 than Neville at 20
CooleskidWashington
0
Oh
yhyh...sure
CooleskidWashington
0
Oooh really??😜😜 Time will tell
time will really tell
hadbcnpsyz
2
Nevile was useless him and caragha just sit on sofa and talk rubbish both of them score more own goals in Premier league history
Coaikmoprs
1
Neville was not good at his younger age but Trent is yet with not the best team
SR7X
1
if TAA keeps playing the way he's playing now, he'll be the greatest right back in football history
Nope awb
Gonga_Husein
3
if TAA keeps playing the way he's playing now, he'll be the greatest right back in football history
Kemosh1
0
Neville wasn't that good. Don't get me wrong he was a good player but those who didnt see him play see him as some elite tier player cos he played next to players who were elite like Rio and Nemanja. Neville was more of a passenger in the side all their best attacks came from the left through Giggs and later Ronaldo who got shifted from CAM. Nani was just as talented as CR7 at the time but his stats never hit the same cos Evra was a much better supporting fullback. Take it from an unbiased source, Neville isnt the player youd want to surpass, I'd rather aim for Dennis Irwin as an English fullback from United.
That's a finer view, I like it too... Nevile was just give opponents escorts to the goalkeeper box. By then Manchester United had a team very powerful and united in one way or the other. Imagine Vidic, Evra, Rio, Scholes, Nani, Van Da Sar, Ronaldo least to mention but that was not a one man team trust me On Anorld issue. Liverpool is currently having the same or closer team to Manchester by then. And now can't rate TAA as per now
DieHardRed
0
Neville wasn't that good. Don't get me wrong he was a good player but those who didnt see him play see him as some elite tier player cos he played next to players who were elite like Rio and Nemanja. Neville was more of a passenger in the side all their best attacks came from the left through Giggs and later Ronaldo who got shifted from CAM. Nani was just as talented as CR7 at the time but his stats never hit the same cos Evra was a much better supporting fullback. Take it from an unbiased source, Neville isnt the player youd want to surpass, I'd rather aim for Dennis Irwin as an English fullback from United.
Arnold is a bit overrated to
JorgeNilmar
0
Liverpool cant dorminate England like Man U did some time ago.Individual performance he can be great like Neville buh trophy wise,I can't see him surpassing Neville
Oh
Nesaiknruy_Legend
0
for how long did you watch Gary Neville played not on YouTube but live on TV ? Mind you Denis Irwin was never an English full back but an Irish full back.
Fair play I'm not a United fan but I always assumed Irwin was an english fullback as many of my mates who were United fans said he was. Either way Neville himself was overrated. I watched EPL since the early 2000s he never done anything amazing or out of this world. I understand not everyone has to be special but Gary was just plain boring, nothing stood out. He was like the Jordan Henderson of fullbacks. Compared to fullbacks like Ashley Cole or Evra I never thought he was anyone that would end up getting a mention let alone be considered the best right back in EPL. Thuram went a season unbeaten and Ferreira was part of a back line that conceded only 15 goals. Neville was more of a passenger in his team, him and Becks were the biggest posers of the old guard at United.
teedee871
0
Neville wasn't that good. Don't get me wrong he was a good player but those who didnt see him play see him as some elite tier player cos he played next to players who were elite like Rio and Nemanja. Neville was more of a passenger in the side all their best attacks came from the left through Giggs and later Ronaldo who got shifted from CAM. Nani was just as talented as CR7 at the time but his stats never hit the same cos Evra was a much better supporting fullback. Take it from an unbiased source, Neville isnt the player youd want to surpass, I'd rather aim for Dennis Irwin as an English fullback from United.
for how long did you watch Gary Neville played not on YouTube but live on TV ? Mind you Denis Irwin was never an English full back but an Irish full back.
Rusikmny
6
Gary was playing with the best team at that time.He was surrounded with good players. When he played for England, he was the quickest link.TAA was playing with an Ordinary Liverpool team earlier in 2017 -2018 but he was one of the player that transform liverpool into best team in the world, Europe and England.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
4
Neville wasn't that good. Don't get me wrong he was a good player but those who didnt see him play see him as some elite tier player cos he played next to players who were elite like Rio and Nemanja. Neville was more of a passenger in the side all their best attacks came from the left through Giggs and later Ronaldo who got shifted from CAM. Nani was just as talented as CR7 at the time but his stats never hit the same cos Evra was a much better supporting fullback. Take it from an unbiased source, Neville isnt the player youd want to surpass, I'd rather aim for Dennis Irwin as an English fullback from United.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
Gary Neville overrated?? The stupidest thing I've ever heard... The Best Right back in the EPL era.. one of the best I've ever seen.. I'm a die hard Liverpool fan, to be honest Gary Neville is still my best right back in the Premier league era I've ever seen.. TAA for sure is emulating him, and he might as well Surpass GN..
Ivanovic was better than Neville and so was Ferreira not to forget Thuram who was probably the best.
Nesaiknruy_Legend
1
Gary neville is over rated....If you are a young right back then you should be aiming for Philip lahm,,,Dani Alves,,cafu,, and even Darijo Srna
True, Branislav Ivanovic was better and is barely remembered these says. I'd let Evra slide but Neville was a glorified Marcos Alonso without the goals. Dennis Irwin was by far uniteds best fullback.
RakibMannan02
1
TAA does have potential to surpass what Gary Neville did but the people saying he is revolutionising the RB role is simply not doing rheir research. There have been a good few who did TAA’s role way before such as Dani Alves, Cafu, Lahm, etc. He is a great RB dont get it wrong but a complete RB should be good at defending and attacking, not just attacking role otherwise hes better off at midfield
cunbeklmyz
0
Liverpool cant dorminate England like Man U did some time ago.Individual performance he can be great like Neville buh trophy wise,I can't see him surpassing Neville
Oooh really??😜😜 Time will tell
cunbeklmyz
0
Garry Neville is one of the most decorated English and European footballers having won a total of 20 trophies including 8 EPL trophies and 2 UCL trophies. TAA has a long journey to move if he wants to level with Garry Neville.
[image]
Well spoken, great respect
cunbeklmyz
0
I dont buy this talk of Trent reinventing the full back role though I'm a Liverpool fan. Yes hes tremendous but to say hes reinventing the role is way too much. Maybe in the sense of the English league but not in world football. What about Carlos Alberto Dani Alves Eric Gerets...heck even Liverpools own Phil Neal was a superb attacking fullback
The number of assists he's having is ridiculous.. That's why they're saying he's reinventing the position..
cunbeklmyz
0
With silverware not possible individual’s performance maybe
With silverware he might as well surpass him or not.. 21 years old, a Champions league winner, Club world cup, UEFA super cup, and EPL title (on the way 😜😜) anything is possible
CooleskidWashington
0
Garry Neville is one of the most decorated English and European footballers having won a total of 20 trophies including 8 EPL trophies and 2 UCL trophies. TAA has a long journey to move if he wants to level with Garry Neville.
[image]
Liverpool cant dorminate England like Man U did some time ago.Individual performance he can be great like Neville buh trophy wise,I can't see him surpassing Neville
cunbeklmyz
0
Gary neville is over rated....If you are a young right back then you should be aiming for Philip lahm,,,Dani Alves,,cafu,, and even Darijo Srna
Gary Neville overrated?? The stupidest thing I've ever heard... The Best Right back in the EPL era.. one of the best I've ever seen.. I'm a die hard Liverpool fan, to be honest Gary Neville is still my best right back in the Premier league era I've ever seen.. TAA for sure is emulating him, and he might as well Surpass GN..
CooleskidWashington
0
remember Neville at TAA's age, he never won Champions League like TAA has done
He had 2 EPL medals
CooleskidWashington
0
Gary neville is over rated....If you are a young right back then you should be aiming for Philip lahm,,,Dani Alves,,cafu,, and even Darijo Srna
because he didn't play for Chelsea
Paramzhea
1
Tbh he's already better then Neville
true
Paramzhea
3
Rafael was one of my favs.. still remember his amazing goal a season before he left.. amazing long shot out wide. he had so much more to offer. great lad.
nimimruyz
2
only a matter of time
Jueeklnptz
6
Tbh he's already better then Neville
Kumbcdory
0
Gary neville is over rated....If you are a young right back then you should be aiming for Philip lahm,,,Dani Alves,,cafu,, and even Darijo Srna
you said it all bro
Joel14
3
Donot 4get AWB. The spider is gona be the best fullback of england.
siyaiklnpy
0
Rashford spanked him.
TAA did nothing against United.
Reecltz
0
Trent Alexander-Arnold Is Really Good.., But CONSISTENCY Is The Key 🗝. Gary Neville Had Been Doing It For 1️⃣0️⃣ Over Years In The Top Flights. Will TAA Be Getting Better And Achieving More Than GN?! 🤔 Most Likely If He Keeps Doing His Stuffs Every Single Year. Time Will Tell.
don,t compare gary neville to TAA, its long way to go GN was good defender and TAA is master of assist
Ernesta
1
Rashford spanked him.
He spanked your weak team
Jason_hannon
0
If u are going to compare TAA to GN u might as well compare a hamburger to grass because it does not make sense😒.
siyaiklnpy
3
Rashford spanked him.
Tobisma_LFC
2
With silverware not possible individual’s performance maybe
remember Neville at TAA's age, he never won Champions League like TAA has done
Honcho__
1
Hmmmm...................... Okay
Wizcoptu
0
Gary>Overrated TAA
[image]
it is obvious because Neville is a legend.taa still have to work hard to be at his level.no one should be compare to neville
piubdksty
1
Gary neville is over rated....If you are a young right back then you should be aiming for Philip lahm,,,Dani Alves,,cafu,, and even Darijo Srna
Vundmpru
1
Garry Neville is one of the most decorated English and European footballers having won a total of 20 trophies including 8 EPL trophies and 2 UCL trophies. TAA has a long journey to move if he wants to level with Garry Neville.
[image]
he's only 21 years old and he is more than capable of doing it
Wehdpsu
0
Neville was great footballer and I don't want to miss him and carragher 😜
badcemnrt
0
With silverware not possible individual’s performance maybe
TajemniczyPl
3
Gary>Overrated TAA
Cihcmorsz
0
I dont buy this talk of Trent reinventing the full back role though I'm a Liverpool fan. Yes hes tremendous but to say hes reinventing the role is way too much. Maybe in the sense of the English league but not in world football. What about Carlos Alberto Dani Alves Eric Gerets...heck even Liverpools own Phil Neal was a superb attacking fullback
JorgeNilmar
6
Garry Neville is one of the most decorated English and European footballers having won a total of 20 trophies including 8 EPL trophies and 2 UCL trophies. TAA has a long journey to move if he wants to level with Garry Neville.
jezabdnpyz
0
Just like how he's been consistent at he studio assesments these last few years.
Yes.., Bruz. He Is Very Consistent On That Part Indeed. [Crylaugh]
fucabdmosy
1
Trent Alexander-Arnold Is Really Good.., But CONSISTENCY Is The Key 🗝. Gary Neville Had Been Doing It For 1️⃣0️⃣ Over Years In The Top Flights. Will TAA Be Getting Better And Achieving More Than GN?! 🤔 Most Likely If He Keeps Doing His Stuffs Every Single Year. Time Will Tell.
Just like how he's been consistent at he studio assesments these last few years.
jezabdnpyz
1
Trent Alexander-Arnold Is Really Good.., But CONSISTENCY Is The Key 🗝. Gary Neville Had Been Doing It For 1️⃣0️⃣ Over Years In The Top Flights. Will TAA Be Getting Better And Achieving More Than GN?! 🤔 Most Likely If He Keeps Doing His Stuffs Every Single Year. Time Will Tell.