Liverpool vs. Real Madrid player duels: Trent Alexander-Arnold or Dani Carvajal?

It is the third time the two famous clubs have met in a European Cup final - a record for a single fixture - with the past two split one apiece, Liverpool winning in Paris in 1981 before Real Madrid lifted the trophy in 2018.

Ahead of the blockbuster fixture between two of Europe's most decorated teams, the Sports Mole team have compared every player likely to start the match for both sides in Paris.

Here, we discuss whether Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold or Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal is the better right-back.

Barney Corkhill, Editor

VERDICT: Trent Alexander-Arnold

With 329 appearances, four Champions Leagues and three La Liga titles to his name at the time of writing, Dani Carvajal deserves his place among Real Madrid's legends and remains an important part of a side 90 minutes away from completing a league and Champions League double.

That said, even a player as successful as Carvajal has been made to look like a full-back from a bygone era by the new breed of full-backs emerging - one led by Trent Alexander-Arnold, who at just 23 has revolutionised the position and already won everything there is to win at club level.

The Liverpool man is set to become the youngest player to ever start three Champions League finals this weekend, and he could have a major impact on the destination of the trophy as he looks to add to another whopping haul of 18 assists this season - 14 more than Carvajal has managed.

When it comes to the attacking element of the game, there is not really any comparison between the two players this season: Alexander-Arnold has had 54 more shots, completed over 1,000 more passes and delivered 139 more crosses than Carvajal across all competitions in 2021-22.

Of course, the main criticism of Alexander-Arnold - and main strength of Carvajal - surrounds defensive work, but the Liverpool man has also made more tackles, interceptions and clearances than Carvajal this season, as well as winning the ball off the opposition more often and boasting a more successful pressing game.

The narrative that Alexander-Arnold cannot defend is a lazy one which the stats disprove and, while Carvajal remains a top-class full-back, it is no exaggeration to say that the Englishman is on course to reach legendary status as one of the best ever in his position.

Matt Law, Football Editor

VERDICT: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Alexander-Arnold has had another wonderful campaign for Liverpool, and he has managed four assists in the Champions League this season. As always, he will be a big outlet for Liverpool on Saturday and will be looking to influence the match from the right side of the field.

Real Madrid will believe that they can turn him the other way, though, with Vinicius causing Chelsea and Manchester City so many problems in the competition this season.

Carvajal, on the other hand, will be more focused on defending this weekend, and the Spain international has had another fine campaign, making 35 appearances in all competitions, including 10 outings in the Champions League. The two players are hugely different, but both are so important to their teams, and Alexander-Arnold's defending will come under the microscope in the French capital.

That said, it is difficult to overlook the Liverpool defender here.

Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter

VERDICT: Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold can't defend this, Trent Alexander-Arnold can't defend that. The Liverpool man may have memorably been caught wanting against Villarreal for Francis Coquelin's header, but his attacking contributions, as ever, have been invaluable this season.

Scoring two goals and setting up 19 more in all competitions - including four assists in Champions League action - the England international has won almost everything there is to win at the age of 23 and is only on the up.

Carvajal has been a dependable performer for Real for nine years, but injuries are starting to plague the 30-year-old, who was no competition to Alexander-Arnold in this vote.

SPORTS MOLE VERDICT: TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD