Alexander-Arnold thought 27-year-old free agent who 'destroyed' him would be world's best

The Liverpool defender is one of the first names on the team sheet at Anfield, having already made 280 appearances for the club.

His range of passing, set-pieces and mesmerising crosses have made him one of the best players in the Premier League.

But some players need more than talent to go on to become household names in the sport.

And that includes former Manchester City ace Brandon Barker, who is currently without a club.

As an up-and-coming talent, Alexander-Arnold remembered how the winger left him having nightmares.

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Speaking to Liverpool's YouTube channel, the England international was asked about the best player he had ever come up against who 'never made it' to the top.

He replied: "I would say Brandon Barker, played for [Manchester] City.

"I was 18, playing for the Under-21s, first ever time at Anfield, got beat 3-0. He scored two and got an assist. I came off at 60 [minutes].

"Still to this day, he's the opponent I think that just destroyed me, man. I've never had it like that before.

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"At that point, I'm thinking 'this kid is going to be the best player in the world'.

"Because I'd never seen someone move so quickly and sharp and effectively, so I'd say Brandon Barker."

While Barker made light work of Alexander-Arnold at youth level, that was about as good as it got for him at City.

He would make just one appearance for the club at senior level, coming up through City's academy.

What would follow were several loan spells to Rotherham, Dutch side NAC Breda, Hibernian and Preston North End before joining Rangers on a permanent deal in 2019.

But Barker would fail to nail a position down at Ibrox, either, making just 27 appearances across two and a half years before having his contract torn up in February 2022.

He then signed for Reading until the end of the season before moving abroad to join Cypriot side Omonia.

However, that would come to an end soon after, as well, as after Neil Lennon was sacked, Barker was largely left out of the squad and left after a year.

At the age of 27, Barker is now currently without a club and has been searching since August.