Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is finally working with an attack-minded coach with England.
The 25-year-old starved during Gareth Southgate’s reign as England boss because of how defensive he was in his build-up and overall play.
But on Saturday, England beat the Republic of Ireland in their UEFA Nations League opener, with Liverpool’s star man starting at right-back for the first time in four years for his country.
Lee Carsley is in interim charge of England and, as he displayed with the U21s, he likes to play on the front foot.
Declan Rice opened the scoring for England, but it all started with Alexander-Arnold playing his typical punt down the field, which was met by the on-rushing Anthony Gordon, his one-v-one effort was saved, but eventually, the ball was put into the back of the net.
All of sudden, just like at Liverpool, the attack-minded fullback has runners all over the shop and it allows him to display his quality on the ball.
Gary Lineker touched upon Alexander-Arnold’s display and how his passing range is ‘truly extraordinary’, as he told The Rest is Football.
Alan Shearer agreed with his fellow pundit and acknowledged the role he played in England’s opening goal and how it was ‘fantastic’.
But, before all of that could happen, in what was a hostile atmosphere in Dublin, Lineker was pretty amazed by what Liverpool’s academy product did after just one minute.
Lineker highlighted how the 30-cap England star played a pass that instantly made him go ‘wow’, with this new attacking system benefiting the player.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing for England
“The other thing we haven’t perhaps seen with England in the last few years is that when Trent did do that thing right-backs and full-backs do now,” said Lineker. “Where they turn into an inverted, whatever you want to call it. He turned into a midfield player, at times. His passing range is truly extraordinary.
“I don’t know if you noticed but he actually hit a pass in the first minute of the game that was like ‘wow’ – he will benefit from a side that plays on the front foot and if you play in their half.”
Shearer agreed: “His pass for Gordon (leading up to England’s goal) was fantastic. Brilliant. We know that. He is fantastic.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future for England
Kieran Trippier has retired from national duty and Kyle Walker, who is 34, wasn’t selected for Carsley’s first squad.
That’s two big players out of the picture, added to the fact that Chelsea’s Reece James continues to have injury problems.
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This opens the door for Alexander-Arnold to make that right-back spot his own, even if Carsley isn’t in charge for the long term.
There is talk of Newcastle boss Eddie Howe taking charge of England, which would still benefit the Liverpool man, so things might start looking up for the Premier League winner on the international stage.
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