Tennis superstar and Real Madrid Carlos Alcaraz has dropped his verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold following his controversial move from Liverpool.
Alexander-Arnold opted to run down his contract at his boyhood club before joining Real this summer, with the Reds eventually receiving a £10m fee to enable the right back to play in the Club World Cup.
The 26-year-old is due to make his Madrid debut on Wednesday night when Xabi Alonso’s men face Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Hilal in Miami, and Alcaraz has backed the Englishman to become a star at his new club.
‘It’s great having him at Real Madrid,’ Alcaraz told BBC Sport ahead of playing at Queen’s this week. ‘I’m pretty sure he’s going to be the best (right back in the world)!’
Alexander-Arnold developed into a star at Liverpool after coming through the ranks, but has not convinced all of his managers that he should be the first name on the teamsheet.
He did not start either of England’s matches in the latest international break, with Thomas Tuchel preferring Curtis Jones and Kyle Walker in his favoured position at right back.
Carlos Alcaraz predicted Trent Alexander-Arnold will become the best right back in the world
Alexander-Arnold is due to make his Real Madrid debut later this week at the Club World Cup
Alcaraz was impressed that Alexander-Arnold spoke in fluent Spanish at his unveiling
Yet Alcaraz is convinced Alexander-Arnold will soon prove his doubters wrong once he settles into Real’s side.
Alexander-Arnold was unveiled as a Madrid player last week and delivered a speech in fluent Spanish.
Some Liverpool fans were left angered by the speech, claiming it was evidence that Alexander-Arnold had been planning to leave Anfield for some time, despite waiting until last month to announce his decision.
But Alcaraz was impressed, and joked that he cannot wait to speak to Alexander-Arnold in his native language in the future.
‘If I meet him one day I’m going to speak with him in Spanish,’ Alcaraz said. ‘His Spanish is pretty, pretty good.
‘It surprised me when I heard it. It’s not easy when you’re standing in front of a new club, new president, new team-mates, new everyone.
‘Speaking another language, and being able to do it like this, respect to him. But he’s so serious!’
Alexander-Arnold is expected to start Wednesday’s match against Al-Hilal, which will be his first club appearance since leaving Liverpool.
He is now due to make his first club appearance since bidding farewell to his boyhood team
He received a mixed reception in his final weeks on Merseyside after confirming his departure, with his own fans booing him when he came on as a substitute against Arsenal last month.
Two weeks later, he came off the bench again on the final day of the season and was given a warmer welcome, while he was also cheered when he picked up his Premier League winner’s medal after the game.
His final farewell came the following day as Liverpool enjoyed an open-top bus parade, and the England international broke down in tears as he waved goodbye to supporters who had lined the streets.
