Alexander-Arnold vs Hakimi: Assessing the merits of Europe's top young right-backs

When we released our Under-21 Team of the Season so far earlier this week there was one particular talking point that, it's fair to say, ruffled a few feathers.

It was less to do with the inclusion of Borussia Dortmund star Achraf Hakimi and more the subsequent exclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back in the side. The difference in rating between the two in the league this season is certainly minimal, but it was Hakimi who edged out the Liverpool wonderkid, 7.36 to 7.30.

This article aims to explain just why the Moroccan has earned a marginally higher rating, whilst discussing whether and in which ways the two compare and differ.

First of all, the case has been made that Hakimi shouldn't even qualify for the right-back role given that the majority of his appearances have come at wing-back this season. However, if you take away the titles and just look at the positions each tend to occupy on the pitch, to consider Alexander-Arnold as a typical full-back would also be wayward.

The Liverpool youngster actually has a greater proportion of his touches in the opposition half than Hakimi and as such tends to get through less defensive work. Indeed, the Dortmund loanee, due to return to Real Madrid this summer, averages more tackles per 90 (1.9 to 1.6). To suggest, then, that the two should be vying for the same spot in the XI is fair.

However, while the pair are comparable in terms of their playing position, they are far less so in terms of playing style.

The most impressive figures that both possess this season undoubtedly pertain to their outstanding assist tallies. For both to have reached double figures with around a quarter of the season unplayed is remarkable, but even then, their returns need context.

For example, while Alexander-Arnold has registered two more assists at this stage (12 to 10), half of his tally have come from set pieces, with Hakimi not afforded such responsibilities.

All ten of the Dortmund youngster's assists have come from open play by comparison, and where nine of Alexander-Arnold's twelve have come from crosses, Hakimi has registered just one from such situations. The positions of each players' assists (below) indicate how different the two players are in terms of their creativity and output in the final third.

Just two of Alexander-Arnold's assists have come from inside the box as opposed to six of Hakimi's. Meanwhile, as the England international has registered five assists from corners, there's a pattern to the Bundesliga star's tally too, with a clear grouping of five right by the byline, to the edge of the six-yard box.

Said positions highlight so much about Hakimi's threat and how different it is to that of Alexander-Arnold. His movement and willingness to bomb deep into the oppostion box allows him to pick up positions where pull back leads to guilt-edged opportunities for teammates.

His dribbling ability is also key to getting into said positions, and one of the main categories in which he is far superior to the Liverpool man (2.7 per 90 to Alexander-Arnold's 0.6). He is able to get in behind opposition defences and therefore improve his own chances of both scoring and creating goals.

It goes a long way to explaining such an impressive assist haul from a comparatively modest number of key passes, with just one per 90 minutes from open play to Alexander-Arnold's 1.4.

The latter is instead renowned for the frequency and quality of his delivery into the box, even from very deep crossing positions. In truth there isn't a player like him in that respect, and while his overall cross accuracy actually comes in quite low (15.5 per cent is still in advance of Hakimi's 14.7 per cent), the areas into which Alexander-Arnold whips balls into and often the speed at which he does so cause all manner of problems for oppositon defences.

That said, in terms of keeping possession in advanced areas - often as a consequence of Alexander-Arnold's high difficulty crossing - there is no comparison. In fact, the Liverpool man has conceded possession more than any other player in Europe, with a pass accuracy of just 64.6% in the final third way down on that of Hakimi (78.9 per cent).

Let's get one thing straight, both players, at just 21 years of age, are exceptional talents. They're also very different, but to those that have only watched one or the other, some understanding of each's skill set and quality is necessary.

Those that think Alexander-Arnold is more deserving of his place in any team of the season than Hakimi are well entitled to that opinion. It's justifiable in so many ways but so too is the reverse.

However, from a statistical standpoint - particularly from a level playing field in terms of excluding set piece responsibilities - Hakimi has not only contributed more defensively this season but posed a greater threat in advanced positions. While, both players are worth celebrating and admiring, that's a key factor in why his rating is, albeit marginally, superior to the outstanding Liverpool right-back.