Trent Alexander-Arnold started his third consecutive England game for the first time on Thursday. “That’s exciting, and hopefully more to come,” was his reaction when the prospect was put to him a few days earlier.
The Liverpool star went on to outline how he feels the national team’s style of play benefits him to a tee and how the key to September’s man of the match awards in both Nations League matches was down to interim boss Lee Carsley’s philosophy. Freedom and fluidity, even if too much of that cost England against Greece.
The 26-year-old cut a customary relaxed figure during the interview following a summer of intense criticism while on Three Lions duty. Alexander-Arnold was used as a central midfielder by Gareth Southgate for the first two Euro 2024 matches before the “experiment” was scrapped.
The defender has not started in the position for club and country since. Being told to play as a central midfielder is not the same as being allowed to move inside from right-back.