Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has compared Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold to legendary Brazilian right-back Cafu.

Alexander-Arnold has established himself as one of Liverpool's key players over the last two seasons and is now widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in world football.

The 21-year-old set a new single-season Premier League record for assists from a defender with 12 last term, while he has already equalled that tally in 2019-20, and Ferdinand was full of praise for the England international.

"I saw him against Atletico Madrid at Anfield. From right-back, for 45 minutes in the first half, if any kid wants to see a player playing the modern game at right-back, get that 45-minute clip," Ferdinand said in a Q&A on his official Instagram account.

"The way he controlled that game from right-back... the last person I saw do that was maybe Cafu. He played every pass in the book – outside of the boot, crossfield fade, sprayed it far and wide, whipped it behind the Atletico defence who were scampering all over the gaff.

"He played it in around the corners, he did everything. Trent is an absolute mad footballer. I don't care what anyone else says, he plays for Liverpool, I don't care. The kid can play."

Alexander-Arnold has registered 14 assists across all competitions this season, also weighing in with two goals from 40 appearances.