Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James debate now no longer relevant

Continuing to compare Trent Alexander-Arnold and Reece James is now nothing more than an insult to the Liverpool academy graduate.

Since making his Reds bow in October 2016, the 25-year-old has gone on to make more than 300 appearances and lifted seven trophies for his boyhood club, maturing into one of the Premier League's finest professionals since breaking through as a sparkling young talent.

Alexander-Arnold also appears to (finally) be on the verge of becoming England's first-choice right-back, having started both of September's Nations League fixtures under interim boss Lee Carsley following years of struggle in trying to break ahead of the ever-present Kyle Walker.

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But there has also been previous competition with Chelsea's own academy graduate. Since making his Blues bow in September 2019, the 24-year-old has also staked his claim as one of the Premier League's best right-back and helped the Stamford Bridge outfit to lift the Champions League , Super Cup and Club World Cup trophies in 2021.

In the 3-0 victory over Bournemouth at Anfield on September 21, however, Alexander-Arnold registered his 83rd assist in a Liverpool shirt and 100th goal contribution for the club. In comparison, James has just eight more appearances than the Scouser has goals and assists combined.

While there is no doubting the quality James has when he's fit, there is no longer a comparison to be made between the two. Alexander-Arnold is rarely injured and performs on a consistent basis. Last season, the Liverpool defender made more appearances (37) than James has in the previous two seasons combined (35).

In his five seasons as a first-team player in west London, James managed more than 30 Premier League appearances in just one campaign - Liverpool's No. 66 has done it on four occasions.

When fully-fit, James is a fantastic player and it's no surprise there were initial comparisons between himself and Alexander-Arnold. The former Wigan loanee is full of talent and would have every chance of claiming the starting spot at right-back for England if he featured on a consistent basis.

But continuing to compare him to a player who features week-in-week-out is becoming almost laughable. The fact Alexander-Arnold has almost as many goal contributions as James has Premier League appearances speaks for itself.

To make comparisons between the two, they both have to play - but they don't. The debate over who is the better player is no longer relevant and won't be until James can play on a consistent basis. That should be the bare minimum requirement.