Southgate’s dilemma: Where do England play Alexander-Arnold?

Trent Alexander-Arnold has always been a divisive player.

Alexander-Arnold has completely transformed the right-back role, proving himself to be a game-changer and a difference-maker for Liverpool from his full-back position. He was a key cog for Jürgen Klopp’s side as they went on to win everything under the German tactician.

Despite this, there have been question marks over his position ever since he emerged in the first team.

Is he good enough defensively to play right-back? Can he be relied upon in big games? Is he too good in possession to be used as a full-back? Would his skillset not be better suited to a midfield role?

The debate over what the No. 66 is and what he should be occurs every year.

It has been even more of a regular occurrence this season, however, with Klopp using the right-back in an inverted role. In possession, he would push into midfield and form a double pivot, more often than not alongside Alexis Mac Allister.

He changed the game for Liverpool on multiple occasions before an injury sidelined him for an extended period. Alexander-Arnold wasn’t quite as influential upon his return but that shouldn’t take the shine off of his earlier performances.

England manager Gareth Southgate has been reluctant to use Alexander-Arnold at full-back and previously made the bold decision to use him as an outright midfielder in multiple games. Having handed him the No. 8 jersey for Euro 2024, it looks as though the 25-year-old is viewed as a middle-third player at international level, at least right now anyway.

Declan Rice recently spoke out about the possibility of partnering the Liverpool defender in midfield this summer, saying: “He’s special. We all know Trent’s skill set – his passing, the way he sees a pass, that right-sided [midfield] position suits him beautifully. He can come in on to his favourite right side and see that pass like he does for Liverpool. It really does suit him, that role.

“He’s a player any country would appreciate. He’s a player we have to play, we have to get involved, and our attackers should be thriving playing off someone like Trent because his passing is off the scale.”

And Alexander-Arnold himself believes the best position for his skillset is midfield. Speaking to FourFourTwo earlier this year, he said: “The ability and the skillset I’ve got is best suited to playing in the middle of the pitch and you’ll get the best out of my specific skillset by playing me in the middle of the pitch. And I see it as an opportunity to show the world that.”

However, not everyone agrees with this idea.

Phil Jagielka, a former Everton defender, was on BBC’s Monday Night Club and he said: “Because we’re playing Trent in there at the moment, potentially, for his range of passing but [he’s] not technically a midfielder. He’s not technically set to play that position.”

While Wayne Rooney was adamant that it would be a disaster when talking about the England squad on The Overlap.

“I think he’s probably the most gifted player with the ball at his feet we’ve got. Defensively, he’s all over the place. He can’t defend. I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch. I’d have no problem with playing him here (at right-back).

“I think in here (midfield), I wouldn’t have him anywhere near there. And I love Trent, actually. I think on the ball, the stuff he can do, no one else can do it. [if] we go into the quarter-finals and we’re playing France, Trent is not playing in midfield. For me, I don’t think Gareth trusts him enough to play him in midfield. And he has his doubts, the same way I do, about playing midfield.”

“That’s when you’re going to see [Conor] Gallagher or [Kobbie] Mainoo in there. I don’t think he trusts Trent defensively, which I think he’s right to. In the games where you think you’re going to dominate possession, I think you probably will see him in there.”

And this sort of discourse is the norm with Alexander-Arnold.

This brings us to Euro 2024. If Southgate does use the Liverpool No. 66 in midfield, it is the perfect opportunity for him to finally silence those doubters. If he bosses things as a midfield general and plays his part in ensuring England go far in the competition, impressing against some of the stronger nations, then there’s finally evidence that he can play as a midfielder. And this would strengthen his case at club level, even if it is a different role and system at Anfield. The case for him to be moved into a midfield role would be a lot stronger, if he catches the eye in Germany.

However, if he struggles and Southgate doesn’t trust him in those must-win matches against good opposition, it all but ends Alexander-Arnold’s hopes of ever being seen as a midfielder, doesn’t it?

Not only could this summer tournament shape his international career after an inconsistent period under Southgate, but it could also shape the rest of his playing career. There’s a chance for him to finally put that debate to bed.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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