Trent Alexander-Arnold names former Man City prospect he once believed would become the world’s best player.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has faced some of the greatest players in football, including Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Kylian Mbappe. However, the Liverpool right-back revealed that his toughest opponent was a former Manchester City prospect who never reached the heights expected of him.

Having risen through Liverpool’s ranks, Alexander-Arnold has made 344 appearances for the club, winning both the Premier League and Champions League. Over the years, he has gone up against numerous tricky wingers from City, including Jeremy Doku, Leroy Sane, and Raheem Sterling. Yet, the player who troubled him the most was a lesser-known talent—Brandon Barker.

Speaking on Liverpool’s YouTube channel, Alexander-Arnold recalled how Barker “destroyed” him in an Under-21s match at Anfield. The young right-back struggled as Barker scored twice, assisted another goal, and left him thinking he was destined to be the best in the world.

“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,” Alexander-Arnold said. “Still to this day, he’s the opponent I think just destroyed me. I’ve never had it like that before. 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, sharp, and effectively.”

Barker was highly rated at City, signing a professional contract in 2014. However, he made just one senior appearance—a substitute cameo in a 5-1 FA Cup loss to Chelsea in 2016. After loan spells at Rotherham, NAC Breda, Hibernian, and Preston, he moved permanently to Rangers in 2019.

Following stints at Oxford United, Reading, Omonia, and Morecambe, Barker found himself without a club. Now, he has returned to football, signing for Non-League side Avro FC in the Northern Premier League Division One West. The club announced the signing on Friday, welcoming his experience and attacking ability to the squad.