TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD PROVES JURGEN KLOPP AND ARNE SLOT ARE RIGHT ABOUT FOUR-YEAR ENGLAND PROBLEM

Trent Alexander-Arnold is a very good right-back – who’d have thought it? Well, virtually anybody with a Liverpool connection.

The 25-year-old was handed an ultra-rare opportunity to start in his usual spot for England as the Three Lions began life after Gareth Southgate against the Republic of Ireland. Against club mate Caoimhin Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold pulled out all the usual tricks we see on a regular basis at Anfield.

Much like he does with the Reds, he was given the freedom to roam by interim England boss Lee Carsley, and was unlucky not to add an assist to his already remarkable tally. His ball to find Anthony Gordon in the early stages was simply exquisite.

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It’s something we should have seen a lot more of with England over the years. The problem has been Alexander-Arnold simply hasn’t been given the opportunity.

As pointed out by the Sunday Times’ Jonathan Northcroft on X, this was Alexander-Arnold’s first competitive start at right-back for England in nearly four years. During that time, Southgate constantly tinkered with his role, throwing him into midfield or, more often than not, simply refusing to find a place for him in his side.

The Liverpool vice-captain was made the scapegoat for England’s poor showings during their opening two Euro 2024 games, having been selected in Southgate’s first-choice midfield. That the Three Lions didn’t improve much thereafter tells you all you need to know about how much of the blame Alexander-Arnold should have been taking.

The Liverpool academy graduate’s international career has been badly mishandled throughout. There have been constant calls throughout from the likes of Gary Neville for him to be given his chance in the side, and yet Southgate so rarely saw fit to play him in his best position.

It was a constant frustration for former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp. "Why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder?" he asked back in 2021.

Arne Slot would appear to agree. Asked about Alexander-Arnold’s best position in his first press conference, the Dutchman replied: "Trent is known for playing as a right full-back, for all his life I think, and when he was a youngster he played in midfield.

“In the modern game, you see a lot of full-backs going into the midfield, that is what he did last season once in a while, and I saw him playing at the Euros in midfield. So I think he’s capable of playing both positions really good, and then it’s up to me where I think he could help the team the most."

Since then, Alexander-Arnold has been filling his usual role for Liverpool at right-back, and to great effect. Now, finally, the message seems to be getting through to England, with Carsley not messing about unlike his predecessor.

The debate must surely now be over. Against Ireland, Alexander-Arnold looked every inch the threat he has shown from right-back for Liverpool for years. Whether Carsley gets the job full-time remains to be seen, but if his first game is anything to go by, he may finally right some very obvious wrongs after four years.

2024-09-07T19:08:25Z dg43tfdfdgfd