England boss Gareth Southgate refusing to get carried away despite Trent Alexander-Arnold brilliance
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD’S stats were off the scale in the Nations League win over Switzerland. From right-back he had 118 touches, played 80 passes, sent in 18 crosses and made six scoring chances. What’s not to like for a player who describes himself as just a normal lad from Liverpool? Some, including England boss Gareth Southgate, […]
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD’S stats were off the scale in the Nations League win over Switzerland.
From right-back he had 118 touches, played 80 passes, sent in 18 crosses and made six scoring chances.
What’s not to like for a player who describes himself as just a normal lad from Liverpool?
Some, including England boss Gareth Southgate, still need convincing about his quality at international level.
The debate is suddenly raging about whether Liverpool’s Champions League-winning right-back is good enough to play for England.
Alexander-Arnold, 20, looked polished against the Swiss, a follow-on to the German great Philipp Lahm with his understanding of the game and his ability to launch attacks from full-back.
Southgate, immensely loyal to Kyle Walker, is asking for even more out of Alexander-Arnold before he turns to the Liverpool defender full-time.
ROOM FOR TRENT
He said: “Trent was very good in terms of his use of the ball. His technique for his crossing is fantastic.
“There’s still a bit to do defensively on positioning and awareness but he’s had some fantastic experiences already in a very short career. He’s heading on a really good trajectory.
“His manager has shown great faith in him to put him in the team at Liverpool, keep him in the team when he’s had a few difficult moments.
“That faith’s been repaid. He knows the quality he brings and the way Liverpool like to play by turning teams and the quality of his forward passing in behind opposition is a huge asset for them.
“He’s like all young players who have been great, with a manager who has faith in him.”
Jurgen Klopp loves him.
Liverpool’s boss played him in the Champions League final defeat against Real Madrid last year then watched him pick up a winner’s medal against Spurs last month.
Alexander-Arnold is bossing games from right-back, competing with team-mate Andy Robertson on the opposite flank for the most assists.
When he joined up with England, he showed the key characteristics and qualities required of an international footballer.
He looked far more comfortable in possession than Walker after his torrid night against Holland.
The Manchester City ace, 29, should be fighting for his place but Southgate has made it clear he will take some shifting.
He added: “Trent will catch the eye because it’s a new story and he did what we thought he would. But I was really pleased with the whole performance.
WALKER THIS WAY
“I went to the States with him when he was Under-17 a few years ago, he’s a lovely kid.
“He’s matured in that time. He got sent off in that tournament. When he was younger he had lapses. He’s 20, played in two Champions League finals. It’s an amazing start.”
Alexander-Arnold’s love for the game is obvious, with his youthful exuberance rubbing off on the senior set up during the Nations League training camp.
His ability to swing balls in from the right is an obvious weapon.
Southgate added: “He’s his own player. In training he wandered to the other end of the training pitch with a bag of balls, put one down, they had a wall up, he whipped it round the wall into the top corner then just walked off.
“Talk about pressure training. He’s got great belief in his delivery. When he was taking his corners, actually, there was too much on them. But it’s a great asset.”
But Southgate made it clear there is work to be done before Walker’s place is taken.
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He likes the Manchester City man, despite his erratic performances in an England shirt.
Southgate has not been afraid to move players on, drop them from the national side when another talent emerges.
TAA made his case against Switzerland but England’s manager is refusing to get carried away.