Liverpool

Former Brazil defender Cafu advises Alexander-Arnold to continue hard work

| 17 February 2019

Former Brazil defender Cafu advises Alexander-Arnold to continue hard work

At only 20 years old, Alexander-Arnold has already featured in a Champions League final while he is an automatic selection when fit for Liverpool.

Former Brazil full-back Cafu has warned Liverpool and England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold against taking success at a young age for granted.

At only 20 years old, Alexander-Arnold has already featured in a Champions League final while he is an automatic selection when fit for Liverpool as they go in search of Premier League glory this season.

Tottenham's Kieran Trippier is ahead of Alexander-Arnold in the England pecking order but Cafu – widely regarded as one of the finest right-backs of all-time – believes there is still plenty more to come from the Reds youngster.

However, he added the caveat that Alexander-Arnold must not rest on his laurels if he is to realise his full potential.

Speaking in his role as an academy member for Laureus, the 48-year-old said: "To play for the England national team, you have to be very good and to play at Liverpool, you have to be very, very good.

"But it takes time to mature and be consistent.

"Yes, he is very talented. For his position, I would advise him to work hard, do a lot of training, but above all show a lot of commitment to what he does.

"Never think that he is good enough. Don't get complacent or big-headed. Work more and more.

"When I was the same age, I was playing for Sao Paulo in the main team. I was a father, so I had a lot of responsibility.

"Twenty years old is a good age to make a decision if he wants to be a football player or a 'professional' football player with a long, respected career."

– The Laureus World Sports Awards celebrate the most remarkable men and women from the world of sport along with their achievements from the previous calendar year. The Awards also showcase the work of Laureus Sport for Good, a charity which uses the power of sport to end violence, discrimination and disadvantage.

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