Gareth Southgate has given his honest assessment on Trent Alexander-Arnold following England’s 1-0 victory over Serbia in their opening Euro 2024 encounter.
It was a cagey encounter in Gelsenkirchen, but Southgate’s team eventually prevailed, with Jude Bellingham scoring the goal.
The Three Lions started well and looked confident in control, with Alexander-Arnold playing as a number eight.
The Liverpool player was replaced soon before the 70th minute, and Southgate spoke about his performance after the game.
Gareth Southgate praises Trent Alexander-Arnold
Gareth Southgate praised Trent Alexander-Arnold’s positioning, which he worked on extensively prior to the game.
“I have to say he has been really diligent in getting his positioning right, balance off, obviously Jude goes forward a lot, so I thought Trent adapted and adjusted to his positioning really well,” the 53-year-old stated on BBC One (10.25pm).
“Used the ball well, obviously had a really good effort on goal.”
The England manager hasn’t always liked the Liverpool right-back in his preferred position, but he is eager to use him as a number eight, where he can influence the game in the final third.
Did Trent Alexander-Arnold accomplish enough to earn a start against Denmark?
Now the question is whether Alexander-Arnold will keep his position in the team against Denmark on Thursday evening.
Well, the 25-year-old took practically every set-piece, and without him, Southgate’s team would have lost a great ball crosser.
Furthermore, his long-range effort, as the Three Lions manager mentioned, demonstrates how dangerous he can be from a distance.
For these reasons, Alexander-Arnold should continue in the midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.
