Chelsea star Marcos Alonso, Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold and eight other defenders who are free-kick specialists
Full-backs have been on target this season so we count down the best in the world at set-pieces who also play in the back-four
FULL-BACKS have been getting in on the goals so far this season with a series of important strikes.
Young right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold opened his account for Liverpool in their Champions League qualifier first-leg.
He put the Reds ahead in an eventual 2-1 win over Hoffenheim in a Champions League play-off tie, curling a wonderful free kick into the bottom right corner.
Chelsea's Marcos Alonso also swung one in from a set-piece as Chelsea beat Tottenham 2-1 at Wembley.
Revelling in his strike, Talksport.com has taken a look at other defenders who are/were brilliant at taking free kicks.
Leighton Baines
Baines remains one of the top free kick takers in the Premier League, with his wand of a left foot having caused plenty of problems for goalkeepers over the years.
His powerful strike against Newcastle United is well worth reminding yourselves of.
most read in football
David Luiz
Like any quality Brazilian footballer, David Luiz can play and do almost anything on the football pitch.
That includes free kicks, with his latest in a Chelsea shirt coming in January last season in a 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
Dani Alves
Alves regularly lined up to take free kicks while at Barcelona, but had plenty of world class competition.
He netted a free kick on his debut for Paris Saint-Germain, who he joined from Juventus earlier in the summer, in a Champions Trophy final win over Monaco.
Victor Lindelof
Upon signing for Manchester United in June, Lindelof said he’s hoping to share free-kick duties with team-mate Paul Pogba.
He provided a glimpse of his ability from set pieces with a superb finish for Benfica against Sporting CP in the Champions League in April.
Marcos Alonso
Alonso has thrived in a wing-back role and during Chelsea’s title-winning season he was a huge threat in front of goal.
That included free kicks.
After hitting the post with a couple of attempts in previous games for the Blues, he scored his first from a set piece with a sublime effort against Bournemouth.
Aleksandar Kolarov
Yet another left footed player to feature.
Kolarov has often stepped up for club and country, and will continue to do so for new club Roma.
Alex
Free kicks scored against Liverpool and Arsenal will be a fond memory for Chelsea supporters.
Alex’s first goal for the Blues was a 30-yard finish against Middlesbrough in October 2007 and he became something of a specialist from set pieces at Stamford Bridge.
Sergio Ramos
There’s plenty lining up to take set pieces at Real Madrid, and it’s no surprise Ramos, an exemplary example of the modern centre back, is capable of firing in a free kick.
The Spaniard did exactly that against Valladolid towards the end of the 2013/2014 season.
Roberto Carlos
Roberto Carlos had to be included and needs no introduction.
Just sit back and relive his famous free kick against France on YouTube.