Trent andquot;excellent andquot; starting with two young left backs in midfield LONDON, ENGLAND – Friday 17November 2023: England’s Trent
Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Euro
2024 Qualifying Group C match between England and Malta at Wembley Stadium.
(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Trent Alexander-Arnold impressed again
in an England shirt as he started a second successive game in midfield for
Gareth Southgate’s side. The 25-year-old’s status has been the subject of debate
since the day he broke into Liverpool’s
first team, and has been used in a hybrid right-midfield role for the Reds. Often
inexplicably overlooked for competing at international level in his usual role,
Alexander-Arnold found a place in the Three Lions’ midfield during the
international break. He played 90 minutes in Malta’s 2-0 win last week and
got a further 84 minutes as his side drew 1-1 with North Macedonia on Monday
night. Southgate praised Alexander-Arnold’s performance in a slightly new
role, telling Channel 4: “Trent did a great job in midfield again, Rico [Lewis], Cole
Palmer, I’ve got a lot to think about.” Liverpool’s number 66 made some
interesting comments about his position last week, suggesting he could get more
out of his game going forward. Whether he carves out a long-term role in the
middle of the park for his country
remains to be seen, but it’s a conversation that will no doubt continue
for as long as the Reds Academy graduate continues to impress there.
LONDON, ENGLAND – Friday 17 November 2023: England’s Trent
Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying Group C match between
England and Malta at Wembley Stadium.
(Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda) Meanwhile, Luke Chambers made his
first start for England Under-20s as they twice came from behind to beat
Germany 3-2 with a dramatic late winner from Heerenveen’s Charlie Webster.
Chambers started at left-back for an hour before being replaced by Newcastle’s
Lewis Hall after being introduced as a late substitute in last week’s 3-0 defeat to
Italy. Dundee loanee Owen Beck continued his steady progress for Wales
U21s, getting another 90 minutes against
Denmark. The left back came on during the 2-1 defeat and Oliver Provstgaard’s
stoppage time goal was not enough to salvage a point in the U21 qualifiers.
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