A player who Trent Alexander-Arnold previously described as his toughest-ever opponent currently finds himself as a free agent, having struggled to fulfil the lofty potential he showed early on in his career.

Brandon Barker spent 15 years at Manchester City after joining the Etihad Stadium club as a schoolboy in 2004, and was on the books there until 2019, when he departed for Scottish giants Rangers. It was during Barker's time at City that he came up against Alexander-Arnold, and the Liverpool right-back recalled a couple of years ago how the now 28-year-old terrorized him during a youth-team game.

"I would say Brandon Barker, played for City [was my toughest opponent]," Alexander-Arnold told club media in 2023. "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].

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"Still to this day, he's the opponent I think that just destroyed me, man. 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 and sharp and effectively, so I'd say Brandon Barker."

The Athletic published an interview with Barker this weekend and the former City prospect acknowledged Alexander-Arnold's comments, saying: “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.”

Barker has been without a club since a short spell at League Two club Morecambe came to an end last summer, but he still aspires to revive his career.

“I’ve never been too bothered about money,” Barker added. “One goal I had when I started was to help my mum and dad buy a very nice house. 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.”