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Cafu warns Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold against taking success for granted

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates his goal against Watford
Image: At 20, Trent Alexander-Arnold has already featured in a Champions League final

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.

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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.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates his goal during England's 3-0 win over USA
Image: Alexander-Arnold already has five caps and one goal for England

However, he added the caveat that Alexander-Arnold, who will be pushing for a place in the starting line-up for the Champions League match against Bayern Munich on Tuesday. 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.

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"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.

Graphic
Image: Cafu captained Brazil to World Cup success in 2002

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

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"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."

Cafu has a history of taking an interest in young Liverpool full-backs - in 2014 he flew to Merseyside to meet Jon Flanagan - nicknamed the 'Scouse Cafu' by Reds fans.

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