Trent Alexander-Arnold has been tipped to be a huge hit at Real Madrid — by the greatest right back of all time.
The Liverpool star, who scored the winner at Leicester on Sunday, is widely expected to join the Spanish giants in the summer.
And Brazil legend Cafu has backed the ‘incredible’ Alexander-Arnold to have a major impact at the Bernabeu as he rubbished the notion that the England international cannot defend.
‘They said the same thing about me,’ admitted two-time World Cup winner Cafu, speaking at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid. ‘They said I didn’t know how to defend. It’s not true. It is just his type of play.
‘It depends what the coach wants. If they want you to attack, then you attack, if they want you to be defensive, then you’ll be defensive.
‘He is an incredible player and it would be a huge signing for Madrid if it happened.’
Alexander-Arnold has made more than 250 appearances for Liverpool since his debut nine years ago, as well as winning 33 England caps.
And Cafu believes the 26-year-old’s experience will be invaluable to Real, likening the potential transfer to his own move to AC Milan at the backend of his career.
‘At 33, I went to AC Milan, and Trent will be taking experience to Madrid, too,’ added the Laureus Academy member.
‘He will take the place of Dani Carvajal if it does happen. He is the perfect age, the perfect player.’
Real’s current boss Carlo Ancelotti may not be at the Bernabeu beyond the summer, with his future in major doubt after the club’s Champions League exit to Arsenal last week.
The Italian has been linked with the Brazil job, which has been vacant since Dorival Junior was sacked following a 4-1 thrashing by Argentina in World Cup qualifying last month.
‘They have got great candidates and one of the great names is Ancelotti,’ added Cafu.
‘But I hope they can choose as soon as possible. The five-time World Cup winners cannot stay in this situation as it is right now.
‘This lack of organisation is very bad for Brazilian football. They just need to decide.’