I was Alexander-Arnold's toughest opponent but now I can't find a club at 28

A product of Manchester City's youth setup, Barker was touted as one of the most exciting up-and-coming talents in English football.

The winger was their Academy Players' Player of the Year during the 2013/14 season and even gave Alexander-Arnold a run for his money.

In an interview with Liverpool in 2023, the Reds vice-captain was asked about the best player he had ever come up against and said: "I would say Brandon Barker, played for 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."

Barker made just one senior appearance for City before leaving in 2019 for Rangers but is currently without a club.

He last played for Morecambe during the second half of the 2023/24 season and speaking to The Athletic, he's keen to make his return.

"I've never been too bothered about money. One goal I had when I started was to help my mum and dad buy a very nice house," said the 28-year-old.

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"I was lucky enough to be able to do that. Me and my family have completely different lives now from when I was growing up, so I'm grateful for that.

"Setbacks happen. I've been through a lot, but there are footballers who have been through more setbacks than me.

"I've just got to keep trying and giving it everything I've got until I can't do it anymore. I just want to play."

Barker also responded to Alexander-Arnold's claim, which came after he scored for City's U21s in a 3-0 win over Liverpool's U21s in 2016.

"I'm sure he's had more difficult games, given some of the superstars he played against, but it's nice of him to say it. I'd never played against him before.

"He looked very young and he was very small and skinny, whereas I was already established at that level. But I was pretty good that day, to be fair."

During his time at City, Barker had loan spells at Rotherham United, NAC Breda, Hibernian and Preston North End.

The only appearance he made for his boyhood club came off the bench in a 5-1 FA Cup defeat to Chelsea in the 2015/16 season.

He then moved to Rangers and made 27 appearances, winning the Scottish Premiership during the 2020/21 campaign during which he also played for Oxford United on loan.

A short spell at Reading followed in 2022 before Barker moved to Cypriot side Omonia, although he spent just one season there.

Morecambe then signed him on a short-term contract at the start of 2024 but he made only two appearances for the League Two outfit.

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