(Football news) Because of his great passing range, the Liverpool right-back has played as a midfielder for his country a lot over the last 12 months. He was included in England’s preliminary squad as an engine room choice.
In England’s first friend match of the month against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Alexander-Arnold was selected for a key role. He scored his country’s second goal in a three-goal victory with a fantastic volley.
Social media was also captivated by an incredible cross-field ball from Alexander-Arnold to Jack Grealish. Despite this, the 25-year-old was benched for England’s 1-0 loss to Iceland last Friday.
Alexander-Arnold did manage to create three chances as a second-half substitute from a right-back position, though, strengthening his claim for a starting spot in England’s Group C opener this weekend.
Alexander-Arnold ‘to partner Declan Rice against Serbia’
Tongues were further sent wagging when Alexander-Arnold was given the eight shirt – the traditional jersey for central midfielders – for the Euros, a number previously sported by the likes of Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson.
The Liverpool academy product is set to be given the nod in midfield for Sunday’s fixture at the Veltins-Arena, joining Arsenal’s Declan Rice in a two-man engine room.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to hold off the threat of Adam Wharton, Kobbie Mainoo and Conor Gallagher to feature alongside Rice, and the pair will operate behind Bellingham – assuming the Real Madrid man is fit – in the number 10 role.
With Alexander-Arnold strutting his stuff in midfield, Manchester City’s Kyle Walker is nailed-on to start on the right-hand side of defence, while Kieran Trippier should fill in on the left flank for the time being.
Alexander-Arnold’s vicious volley against Bosnia was his third senior goal for the Three Lions, and he has also produced five assists in 25 matches for his country since making his debut in June 2018.
What other selection dilemmas is Southgate facing before Euro 2024?
In spite of Wharton’s seamless adaptation to Premier League football, Mainoo’s meteoric rise to stardom and Gallagher’s relentless pressing, England’s abysmal attacking display versus Iceland meant that Alexander-Arnold simply had to be selected for Serbia.
While Southgate therefore has his two-man midfield sorted, the England boss is still facing a handful of quandaries in the defensive and attacking thirds, especially as John Stones and Marc Guehi both suffered injury blows in Friday’s defeat.
However, both men escaped serious concerns and are expected to partner up in front of Jordan Pickford amid Harry Maguire’s absence, but Bellingham did not play in either friendly, while Bukayo Saka only came off the bench in the second half against Iceland.
Neither man has been ruled out just yet – the same goes for Phil Foden – but the likes of Cole Palmer and Eberechi Eze, both of whom successfully auditioned for the final squad against Bosnia, could take advantage of the situation.
Sunday’s match is also expected to come too soon for long-term absentee Luke Shaw, although the Manchester United man – who has not played for his country in 12 months – is apparently optimistic of being back in full training at some point this week.
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