Liverpool fans have been used to Trent Alexander-Arnold playing at right-back, but for England, he has been handed a very different task altogether.
Gareth Southgate has opted to play the Liverpool man in midfield for England at Euro 2024, including against Denmark on Thursday as the Three Lions recorded a 1-1 draw.
Trent Alexander-Arnold deployed that role during his side’s 1-0 win over Serbia, with many unimpressed by what they saw from the player.
Many questioned if there would be a change and the Anfield academy product would be dropped for a bonafide midfielder, but Southgate stuck with the same tactics against the Danes.
After 53 minutes, Alexander-Arnold was being subbed off for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and it probably signalled that it’s a tactic that isn’t working.
Alan Shearer certainly thought that, as he stated that ‘nothing changed’ from England’s timid and slow first half performance, as he told Match of the Day on BBC One.
Declan Rice is the defensive brain in the midfield, with Alexander-Arnold playing in between and Jude Bellingham playing the role he does with Real Madrid.
But Alexander-Arnold just couldn’t get on the ball during the game, England weren’t controlling the match and it resulted in him getting a lot of stick.
In the end, Shearer felt it was the right call to sub Alexander-Arnold off minutes into the second half.
Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield for England against Denmark
“Is that some sort of admission that it’s not working like he wanted to?” asked Guy Mowbray about Alexander-Arnold going off.
“Absolutely, yeah,” responded Shearer. “What has he given it? Seven or eight minutes into the second half and nothing has changed. Exactly the same as it was in the first half. He is bringing him (Gallagher) on to try and get some energy into that midfield.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold tactic hasn’t worked
Southgate doesn’t have the tactical brain to make this work. Perhaps Arne Slot can do it at Liverpool because he is more attacking.
But Southgate is a defensive coach and whether fans like it or not, a more defensive player is better in his system than an attacking one.
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Either way, you can’t see Alexander-Arnold keeping his place in the XI and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he is on the bench for the final group game against Slovenia.
More than likely, Gallagher would probably start and England’s midfield will operate a lot better.
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