Gareth Southgate pleased Paul Robinson after moving Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold into his midfield during the second half as England edged Australia this Friday.
The Three Lions kicked off the October international break with a tepid 1-0 win at Wembley. Ollie Watkins (57’) produced the only goal of the game after turning home Jack Grealish’s hit across the area. Alexander-Arnold was Liverpool’s only England star to play against Australia.
Alexander-Arnold returned to the England side on Friday after missing the September break due to a hamstring injury. The 25-year-old earned his 21st cap for his country and started as a right-back. But the introduction of Kieran Trippier later saw the Reds dynamo edge upfield.
Alexander-Arnold helped England to beat Australia 1-0
Southgate has irregularly experimented with using Alexander-Arnold as a central midfielder for England in recent years. Jurgen Klopp has also begun to relish the full-back’s ability to go into the engine room at Liverpool. The German now often lets him play in a hybrid position.
Trippier entering the encounter with Australia in the 62nd minute marked the moment that Alexander-Arnold entered England’s midfield fully. The Newcastle United wing-back took up the defensive duties so the Liverpool product could influence the game to a greater extent.
Robinson ‘likes’ what Alexander-Arnold gives in midfield
Ex-England goalkeeper, Robinson, likes what Alexander-Arnold adds with his central midfield role for the Three Lions. He believes the change in position lets the £180k-a-week right-back pull the strings far easier. It also reduces the defensive duties, which are not his finest traits.
“I like Trent playing further upfield without those defensive responsibilities,” he said on BBC Radio 5 Live. “He’s a more creative player, he’s able to create chances and feed players.”
Alexander-Arnold played a key role in England finally scoring early in the second half against Australia. His deep cross found Grealish in a position to drive toward the byline and attempt a shot. Watkins was then in the perfect position to turn the ball home for the winning strike.
Not long after, and with Trippier assuming the defensive role, Alexander-Arnold moved into England’s midfield full-time. But, in truth, he spent much of the match in their engine room. His desire to step upfield did not help Fikayo Tomori, who had to cover the right-back space.
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