Trent Alexander-Arnold has described Real Madrid teammate Federico Valverde as 'the most underrated footballer on the planet' following his stunning hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 first leg.
Valverde scored all three goals as Real Madrid secured a commanding 3-0 victory at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe ruled out. The 27-year-old opened the scoring after 20 minutes, doubled his tally seven minutes later, and completed his hat-trick just before half-time with a brilliant flick and finish.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Alexander-Arnold said: 'Even as a Liverpool player I admired him and I think he is undoubtedly the most underrated footballer on the planet. When you have played with him you understand how much he gives to the team, he covers every blade of grass, he gives his all.'
The England international added: 'As a player, the best attribute you can have is that your teammates can always count on you and he is always there, he never lets us down. Maybe people might start talking about him now but for many years he has been in that top bracket of midfielders.'
Despite the convincing lead, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois warned against complacency ahead of the second leg at the Etihad Stadium. 'In the Etihad I've lost 4-3, lost 4-0 – everything can happen there so we have to be calm,' Courtois said. 'It's a very nice result I'm not going to lie but we have to keep our foot on the floor.'
