David Beckham has heaped praise on Trent Alexander-Arnold, drawing striking parallels between their styles of play and calling the Real Madrid and England star a modern-day reflection of himself. Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast in a video uploaded on X, Beckham admitted that among today’s players, Trent reminds him the most of his own approach to football.
He said:
I suppose if there was one player where I look at and think, ‘he’s very similar in the way he delivers the ball, crosses or passes,’ it has to be Trent.
When Ferdinand suggested Kevin De Bruyne as a possible comparison, Beckham disagreed slightly, noting that while the Belgian is exceptional, Alexander-Arnold’s technique and passing vision feel more personal to him.
He explained:
It’s the way he puts the ball in, those long passes balls some players don’t even think about. That’s what I love about him.
The comparison carries even more weight given Alexander-Arnold’s evolution. Softfootball understands that since leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid in May 2025, he has hoped to redefine the full-back role much like Beckham redefined the wide midfielder’s position at Manchester United decades ago; however, muscle problems continue to hinder his progress at the club.
Watch the video below:
During his Liverpool career, Trent registered 60 Premier League assists (a record for a defender) and 23 goals in 354 appearances, helping the Reds win two league titles (2020, 2025) and a Champions League (2019).
Beckham, who notched 142 goals and assists as a non-forward during his own Premier League era, clearly sees a kindred spirit two players who turned dead balls and long passes into art forms. Softfootball even wrote an article suggesting that Salah’s struggle this season might be as a result of Trent’s move to Madrid.
From Beckham’s right foot to Trent’s, the tradition of English precision and flair seems alive and well. As Beckham put it, Trent has that kind of vision that changes games.
