PETALING JAYA: It’s not easy to catch the eye of Liverpool’s free-kick specialist Trent Alexander-Arnold (pic).
The set-piece expert has set a high standard in the execution of that speciality, and it would take a lot to impress him.
But the 26-year-old England international says that five players in the Malaysian Super League have caught his attention with their free-kick prowess.
In an interview with local channel Stadium Astro, the 26-year-old Alexander-Arnold was shown five free-kick goals scored by five different players in the Super League – Manuel Hidalgo (Pahang), Safawi Rasid (Terengganu), Juan Muniz (Johor Darul Ta’zim), Luciano Guaycochea (Perak) and Paulo Josue (Kuala Lumpur).
He had high praises for all the goals, but was particularly “smitten” by Muniz’s strike against Kuala Lumpur.
“To score that goal, especially when everything was close, the goal and wall, it was really good. The technique was there and the pace of the ball was good,” said Alexander-Arnold.
He explained that executing a free-kick isn’t just about power, as finesse and precision are also important.
Apart from Muniz’s effort, Safawi’s free-kick goal also caught Alexander-Arnold’s attention. He reacted to that goal with the word “Ufff” (a sound to say you are impressed).
Alexander-Arnold also said he was surprised to learn that Perak captain Guaycochea, who scored a free-kick against Police, is a cousin of his Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister.
“I would surely ask him about that,” he jested.
