David Beckham vs Trent Alexander-Arnold

Paxi

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Seen quite a few people comparing them two, including journalists from telegraph and independent — outright saying that AA was better than Becks.

Is it just me, or did some incredible performances from Beckham for United, England and Madrid did not happen?
As far as I remember Beckham was at least as good as TAA defensively, and certainly better than him in every other aspect.

In my estimation, if Beckham was to play full back for us right now he’d be our most creative player. If he were to play for Liverpool he’d be regarded as one of the best players ever. (Seeing as they like to overrate every cnut that kicks a football for them)


 

Leethal

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Screams of delusional twitter nobodies trying to make a name for themselves through retweets with sensationalist nonsense.
 

bosnian_red

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Miguel Delaney is one of the most annoying and reactionary reporters out there. Always loves to go out and say some team is the greatest team ever... half way through a season. Then back tracks when they lose.

As for the comparison... Obviously Beckham is on another level still, and at his peak probably should have won the Ballon D'Or. TAA has massive potential and is definitely the best right back in the world right now, especially on the ball.
 

Okey

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The comparison is coming at least 5 years too early. TAA is really something special, but vs Becks?! Oh please...
 

Okey

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It's only a few months ago this Liverpool team were supposed to be the best Premier league side ever. And just the season before, it was Citeh with the same argument. Knees jerking everywhere.
 

Maluco

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It’s far too early to tell. Beckham is so underrated as a player. He had more than just a fantastic delivery (and it was unbelievable at times).

He turned into a leader, worked incredibly hard and had so much heart and determination. He became iconic because of those qualities on top of his model lifestyle off the pitch.

TAA will have to prove he can come back from adversity and thrive under pressure as Beckham has done. The sky is the limit for him though and he is off to a great start.
 

Paxi

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Screams of delusional twitter nobodies trying to make a name for themselves through retweets with sensationalist nonsense.
It’s not though. We’ve got chief football writer of independent espousing those views.
 

Paxi

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Miguel Delaney is one of the most annoying and reactionary reporters out there. Always loves to go out and say some team is the greatest team ever... half way through a season. Then back tracks when they lose.

As for the comparison... Obviously Beckham is on another level still, and at his peak probably should have won the Ballon D'Or. TAA has massive potential and is definitely the best right back in the world right now, especially on the ball.
He was a runner up but he would be on Kevin De Bruyne level now in my opinion.
 

bosnian_red

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He was a runner up but he would be on Kevin De Bruyne level now in my opinion.
Yup! And De Bruyne would be a Ballon D'or level player if there was no Messi/Ronaldo and he won the CL like Beckham did.
 

SambaBoy

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TAA is fantastic, although not exactly complete in his position as his defensive game lets him down but better than Beckham? Come on.
 

mav_9me

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Clearly Beckham is the best crosser of the ball ever. TAA does seem to have the talent. That cross for Firmino was so Beckham like. Can see him get to similar levels.
 

Bondi77

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Miguel Delaney is one of the most annoying and reactionary reporters out there. Always loves to go out and say some team is the greatest team ever... half way through a season. Then back tracks when they lose.

As for the comparison... Obviously Beckham is on another level still, and at his peak probably should have won the Ballon D'Or. TAA has massive potential and is definitely the best right back in the world right now, especially on the ball.
Probably only 'on the ball'
AWB would be a better defensive R B and I Am sure there are more.
He will not stay as a RB for long in my opinion.
 

bosnian_red

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Probably only 'on the ball'
AWB would be a better defensive R B and I Am sure there are more.
He will not stay as a RB for long in my opinion.
You don't look at a position and split up their defensive and offensive sides. You look at them overall as a player and their contribution to the team. All the best teams in the world would take TAA as their right back over any other RB in the world without blinking an eye. Just like Marcelo was the best left back for ages, Alexander Arnold is becoming the same from the right. I get it, he plays for Liverpool... But it really isn't close. He's in a good defensive unit and then on a different world on the ball and attacking, which is what the big clubs care about, as you need everyone to contribute in the attacking third. Not sure why he won't stay as a right back. He brings tremendous value to them from there and it's easily become one of the most important positions around, especially in Klopps system.
 

Paxi

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Clearly Beckham is the best crosser of the ball ever. TAA does seem to have the talent. That cross for Firmino was so Beckham like. Can see him get to similar levels.
Genuinely, where does this come from. Becks is as good as De Bruyne on the ball to my mind. No particularly flashy but incredibly, incredibly potent.
 

RedCurry

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I find myself admiring the kid. I think he can be as good as Beckham someday.
 

RC89

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I hate how underrated Beck's can be at times. Yes, he was overrated by some at the time but to compensate a lot underrate him. He'd be our best player in this team arguably and most consistent. Also, we'd finally get some decent corners in.
 

Paxi

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Just looking back at some extremely ridiculous plays there. His vision and presence of mind is second to none.
No I don’t think he could be a winger in today’s game but I’m certain that he’d be as good as Daniel Alves in terms of threat (Although different players) Becks is probably a bit worse in terms of defending but a better attacking in terms of output. But to me it’s splitting hairs. Beckham was just ridiculous from the right hand side. Some one tell me I’m wrong?
 

tenpoless

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On his twitter profile : "Daily Telegraph Sport Investigations Reporter".
That's a long fecking job title. He report sport investigations? what's the difference between Sport Investigations Reporter and Sport Reporter then? it's like when you have to finish 400 words essay but not there yet, so you start writing multiple words with the same meanings.

TAA < Beckham. Only poo chumpions would argue otherwise.
 

GifLord

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Just looking back at some extremely ridiculous plays there. His vision and presence of mind is second to none.
No I don’t think he could be a winger in today’s game but I’m certain that he’d be as good as Daniel Alves in terms of threat (Although different players) Becks is probably a bit worse in terms of defending but a better attacking in terms of output. But to me it’s splitting hairs. Beckham was just ridiculous from the right hand side. Some one tell me I’m wrong?
He never was a winger to begin with. He was a cm that was converted to a side midfielder - with defending and attacking duties
 

Paxi

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He never was a winger to begin with. He was a cm that was converted to a side midfielder - with defending and attacking duties
Well I guess not but he was a right sided attacking wide player. I understand that he played numerous positions and I think he’d excel in a position De Bryune takes up today. I don’t think he’s as good as him in that position or as good as him full stop but he’d definitely be okay.
 

Web of Bissaka

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Objectively maybe in the future, who knows. Too soon to say.

Career/Achievements
Proven: Becks > TAA
Club: Becks > TAA
International: Becks > TAA
Europe: Becks = TAA (arguably the 98/99 faced greater strong teams)
Trophies: Becks > TAA
Individual Awards: Becks > TAA

*TAA achieved a lot already this early which is interesting, but can't say it's close to Becks.*

Abilities
Crossing: Becks = TAA (to be kind)
Attacking: Becks > TAA
Defending: Becks > TAA
Passing: Becks = TAA (to be kind)
Vision: Becks = TAA
Curve/Swerve: Becks = TAA
Assists: Becks = TAA
Shooting: Becks > TAA
Scoring: Becks > TAA
Dribbling: Becks > TAA
Set-piece: Becks > TAA
Physical: Becks > TAA (in those days, a lot of crunching tackles)
Stamina? (not sure about TAA, but Becks have abundance)
Fitness: Becks = TAA
Team-play/support: Becks > TAA
Work-rate: Becks > TAA
Leadership: Becks > TAA
Tactical Adaptability: Becks > TAA (TAA only in one system so far that brought out the best in him)

Complete/All-around: Becks > TAA

Positioning
TAA: RB RWB and RM.
Becks: RM RW LM LW CM CAM and arguably would slot fine into RWB and RB, possibly even CDM.

------------------

The only edge TAA have over Beckham is TAA may have a more natural/gifted abilities than Becks who is more hard-work based.
 
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Paxi

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Objectively maybe in the future, who knows. Too soon to say.

Career/Achievements
Proven: Becks > TAA
Club: Becks > TAA
International: Becks > TAA
Europe: Becks = TAA (arguably the 98/99 faced greater strong teams)
Trophies: Becks > TAA
Individual Awards: Becks > TAA

*TAA achieved a lot already this early which is interesting, but can't say it's close to Becks.*

Abilities
Crossing: Becks = TAA (to be kind)
Attacking: Becks > TAA
Defending: Becks > TAA
Passing: Becks = TAA (to be kind)
Vision: Becks = TAA
Curve/Swerve: Becks = TAA
Assists: Becks = TAA
Shooting: Becks > TAA
Scoring: Becks > TAA
Dribbling: Becks > TAA
Set-piece: Becks > TAA
Team-play/support: Becks > TAA
Work-rate: Becks > TAA
Leadership: Becks > TAA
Tactical Adaptability: Becks > TAA (TAA only in one system so far that brought out the best in him)

Complete/All-around: Becks > TAA

Positioning
TAA: RB RWB and RM.
Becks: RM RW CM CAM and arguably would slot fine into RWB and RB, possibly even CDM.

------------------

The only edge TAA have over Beckham is TAA may have a more natural/gifted abilities than Becks who is more hard-work based.
Beckham had incredible vision. I don’t know how it could be compared anywhere near to TAA. Also with tactical adaptation, Beckham played across every position when needed. I get that you’re trying to be objective but it’s this is a joke. Alexander Arnold is undoubtedly the best right back in the league and maybe the world but if Beckham was in his pomp right now, playing for a free scoring team like Liverpool, he’d absolutely fecking destroy teams.
 

Paxi

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And just before any wanker Liverpool twats get offended — TAA is the best RB in the league and probably the world. There.
 

Web of Bissaka

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Beckham had incredible vision. I don’t know how it could be compared anywhere near to TAA. Also with tactical adaptation, Beckham played across every position when needed. I get that you’re trying to be objective but it’s this is a joke. Alexander Arnold is undoubtedly the best right back in the league and maybe the world but if Beckham was in his pomp right now, playing for a free scoring team like Liverpool, he’d absolutely fecking destroy teams.
After writing it, felt lazy to edit and put "(to be kind)" there at vision and few more.
 

mav_9me

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Genuinely, where does this come from. Becks is as good as De Bruyne on the ball to my mind. No particularly flashy but incredibly, incredibly potent.
What do you mean? Just this weekend his cross for Firmino. So I think TAA is capable of putting in beautiful crosses. Just have to see if he can do it year after year and at those numbers.

As I said I think Beckham is the best crosser ever.

I'm only comparing crossing.
 

Klopper76

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Beckham was and still is incredibly underrated. I feel like some journalists still hold a weird grudge over him for that red card in France.

TAA has a long way to go before he can be compared to a player like Beckham.
 

Snow

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How about comparing him first to someone like Dani Alves who was a right back in a attack minded and possession dominating team who racked up assists and is more known for that than defending. The season before Barca bought Dani Alves he managed 13 assists in the league. 4 more seasons with 10 or more assists, his record being 14.

Beckham was playing as a right midfielder in a 4-4-2. I guess Burnley or Watford can be seen in playing in a similar way. Most teams don't. Hardly any right backs that played a similar role as TAA does in Beckham's time. Put TAA in front of a right back and his game will suffer.
 

Buchan

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Alexander-Arnold’s ability is amplified by the system Klopp employs at *, where everything goes through the full-backs. Defensively, he’s a shambles, but on the ball with time and space, he’s among the best in the league, no question.

Beckham was - and I hope this verdict is without bias - better on the ball than Alexander-Arnold. He possessed better stamina. (In teams jam-packed with ultra professionals and serial winners, he had famed fitness levels.) He was arguably as good defensively as Alexander-Arnold is now. Beckham’s leadership qualities were vastly superior. The fact he proved himself in other teams, leagues and systems gives him another edge over Alexander-Arnold. He more than held his own with some of the best players of his generation and earned their respect ten times over. Beckham’s international career is another feather in his cap compared to the * full-back.

In fact, if ‘98-99 Beckham could be transplanted into the current * system, there’s a likelihood of him being Premier League POTY and being the first ‘defender’ to win the Ballon D’Or in the Messi-Ronaldo mega-goalscorer era. That’s how good he was at his peak. There’s some seriously forgetful-at-best and downright-disrespectful-at-worst hot takes doing the rounds recently when it comes to football discussion, but this particular premature argument could possibly take the cake.
 

RooneyLegend

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It's called being clueless. Beck's was basically a cheat code back in them days. He'd create so many chances and key plays per game that there was no way we'd go into a game without him impacting it. That cross to Firmino was fantastic, but it was regulation in Becks' day.

People cream themselves every time Trent switches the ball to Robertson every game, Beck's used to switch the ball from deep right to a high left position to a marauding Giggs on a game by game basis.

There was a time when one of our patterns of play was Big Pete catching the ball, rolling it it Beck's who'd be 10 yards away from the box and him spanking it 60 yards straight to one of the strikers with ridiculous accuracy. Don't get me started on his set pieces.

The most ridiculous thing about Beck's was just how accurate he was at playing unbelievable balls. Never seen it since, and I'm sure I won't see it again.
 

njred

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First two years of their respective careers TAA is far ahead of Beckham’s obviously as Beckham’s impact got him sent out on loan. But how can you compare a kid to Beckham who played for years and is regarded as one of the great crossers for a long time. Why bother?
 

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Rumour had it that Beckham would often play right back in training and Giggs couldn’t get past him. Giggs even nicknamed Beckham ‘Spider-Man’ because of his uncanny knack to get tackles in from impossible angles.

Safe to say that Becks is the superior defender of the two.
 

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TAA is a fantastic crosser of a ball and a quickly developing set piece threat. Could be the best attacking RB in the game for years to come. Beckham had a fair bit more range to his passing, could hit those penetrative passes from deeper, even KDB can't match Beckham's delivery from deep.

Doubt Beckham ends up as a RB if he comes through now, part of a midfield 3 but he would have to develop his short passing game a little more, never quite as good as the longer stuff.
 

EwanI Ted

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If TAA carries on at that level for the next 5 seasons, there’s at least a debate. Til then though, some people need to calm down.
 

LOIfan

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Far too early to be comparing him to Becks and i presume they're being solely compared on their crossing/passing ability not overall ability as they played in 2 different positions. Criminal under representation of Beckham's legendary career at play here ( or over estimation of TAA 2 year career ) and whilst i do think TAA's crossing/passsing ability is at a level you can debate if it surpasses Becks lets see him do it over 5+ seasons before outlandishly saying he's better than a true premier league legend.
 

Bondi77

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You don't look at a position and split up their defensive and offensive sides. You look at them overall as a player and their contribution to the team. All the best teams in the world would take TAA as their right back over any other RB in the world without blinking an eye. Just like Marcelo was the best left back for ages, Alexander Arnold is becoming the same from the right. I get it, he plays for Liverpool... But it really isn't close. He's in a good defensive unit and then on a different world on the ball and attacking, which is what the big clubs care about, as you need everyone to contribute in the attacking third. Not sure why he won't stay as a right back. He brings tremendous value to them from there and it's easily become one of the most important positions around, especially in Klopps system.
I take your point and I suppose if Gareth Bale would have stayed as a LB and played in a good unit then He would have been the GOAT of fullbacks.
I just think that because of the attacking attributes of TAA he may at some point want to play as a right sided midfielder but then again he may be happy where he is and only time will tell.