LIVERPOOL youngster Trent Alexander-Arnold is the best defender in this season’s Champions League.
The Reds full-back, 19, was fast-tracked into the first XI only a year ago – and has thrived with Nathaniel Clyne still recovering from a long-term injury.
Alexander-Arnold has shone ever since – but never as brightly as he does in Europe’s elite competition.
In fact, based on the most recent power rankings, there is no better defender in the tournament, right now, according to BetStars.
Trent boasts a rating this season of 7.67 after a string of solid defensive performances – and even a pair of goals.
As well as his stunning free-kick strike in the 2-1 playoff win away to Hoffenheim, the teenager scored in the 7-0 drubbing over Maribor in Slovenia in October.
He sits marginally ahead of Manchester United stopper David De Gea, with three Man City defenders also in the top ten.
Kyle Walker, Ederson and Nicolas Otamendi all rank highly, but it’s Liverpool who rake in the rewards on the attacking front.
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Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and James Milner all sit in the top five attackers – behind only Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar – with Mo Salah also in the top ten.
Tottenham duo Harry Kane and Dele Alli are joined by City’s Kevin De Bruyne in Europe’s elite crop.
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He may cop plenty of flak for his shaky performances, but Loris Karius has recently shown signs of making the Liverpool No1 jersey his own.
In fact, he is the sixth-best defensive player from the Premier League in the Champions League this term.
His 6.86 rating is better even than Hugo Lloris (6.76) – who many consider to be the best stopper in the league, along with De Gea.
The Champions League returns this week, with Liverpool taking on Porto on Tuesday night leading 5-0 from the first-leg – alongside Real Madrid’s trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
On Wednesday, Man City host Basel, while Tottenham take on Juventus with everything to play for at Wembley.
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