Gareth Southgate gave Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold an unusual start as England defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Liverpool right-back began in midfield before returning to his usual position late in the second half, where he extended England’s advantage in a 3-0 friendly victory at St James’ Park.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been one of Europe’s top fullbacks for numerous years, and his trophy collection reflects this.
However, the 25-year-old has struggled to reproduce his success on the international level because his aggressive approach does not fit Southgate’s defensive system.
Furthermore, England has a large number of right-backs to pick from. Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, and even Chelsea’s Reece James, who has been dropped by Southgate ahead of Euro 2024.
However, Alexander-Arnold’s display in the middle of the park for his country, as well as his strong second-half performance, did not please Steve Nicol, according to ESPN.
For much of the game, there were no goals until Cole Palmer opened the scoring from the penalty spot, and Alexander-Arnold increased his side’s lead with a fantastic first-time effort after Jack Grealish dinked the ball to the far post.
But Nicol made it clear that even if the Liverpool player scored a hat-trick, it would make little impact to his prospects of playing for England against Serbia at Euro 2024.
That will be England’s first game, with Nicol announcing in a typically ruthless and frank manner that Alexander-Arnold would not start in midfield or right back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold scored for England against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
“He’s not (going to be important for England at the Euros),” Nicol said after Alexander-Arnold started in midfield against Bosnia. “He won’t be playing.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold could have scored a hat-trick today, but he will not start against Serbia.” Never in a million years will he start as a right-back against Serbia. Not a chance. And he will not start in midfield. If Gareth Southgate is going to be optimistic, it will be Bellingham, Rice, and Foden. If he’s going to be negative, he’ll probably bring in Conor Gallagher and play him alongside Rice, with Bellingham in front of them and Foden out to the left.
“There is no way I can see Trent Alexander-Arnold starting on that field; if England needs to win the third game to qualify, he might play in midfield, but what if he takes Maddison? Are you going to play a putative fullback while leaving a player who is 100% an attacking midfielder and had a terrific first half of the season for Tottenham? Or will you simply respond, ‘Oh, I’ll play fullback in there’? Trent Alexander-Arnold is an excellent passer of the ball. He played some excellent balls forward, but he is not playing against Serbia.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold at Euro 2024.
It should be noted that Alexander-Arnold missed the last Euros due to injury, so he will be desperate to board that plane to Germany.
You suspect Southgate will choose him because you never know.
Yes, there are many players in front of him, and this will not alter. However, fans are hopeful that he gets used more because his passing skill is simply incredible.
Even as an offensive weapon if England is chasing the game in the second half. You know Harry Kane would love to have Alexander-Arnold on his team because of his propensity to ping balls for pleasure.
