DANNY MURPHY: If Trent Alexander-Arnold wants to play for England he has a better chance in midfield

Not only does Trent Alexander-Arnold have the ability to play in midfield, he looks like he wants to.

Body language is important for a footballer and against Malta he had a feather in his back. In fact, it would have been a relief to try out another position now that his defensive play as a right-back has come under such scrutiny.

For all of Trent’s obvious technical ability, as a former midfielder, I’d say one of the main reasons he’s able to flourish there is his bravery.

He is fearless on the ball, willing to take risks with his passing and crosses to be creative.

He doesn’t mind failing and that suits him as a game-changer as not many have the confidence to try and make an impact knowing that not every move will turn out perfectly.

The Liverpool fullback scored his second goal for England in their 4-0 win against Malta

I suspect Jurgen Klopp will still start him next season as a defender entering midfield when Liverpool are on the ball, but the dynamic in England is a bit different.

If Trent wants an international career, he probably has a better chance partnering Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in midfield rather than taking on Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier at right-back.

His record of assists is exceptional at club level, but in midfield you have an even better chance to lead games and create chances.

England are always crying out for players in the middle of the field, especially at big tournaments, and the range of passing Trent in his locker is exceptional.

He can throw the ball around with short passes, crosses from wide positions or hit the Kevin De Bruyne-style defensive splitters with the inside or outside of his foot.

The best midfielders have balance and Rice and Bellingham have the legs and physical attributes that allow Trent to get the most out of his game.

I’m not surprised it’s something that Gareth Southgate has looked at and discussed with the players. It is also important to note that football has evolved from pigeonholing players. If Trent operates in midfield, it doesn’t mean he can never play as a right-back again!

John Stones is a great example of someone who has taken advantage of his team, be it right back, centre-back or midfield, depending on the opposition and circumstances. Luke Shaw is a left-back who has moved to center and even got along well with Erling Haaland.

I’ve been to games to watch Trent take the midfield for Liverpool and have been impressed with his understanding of what it takes. It is clear that he has the necessary football brain.

His pass to Bukayo Saka that led to England’s opening goal in Malta showed his ability to unlock defences.

Making it work against better opposition at Euro 2024 will require time on the training ground and it’s something Southgate wants to work on.

Playing in a new position all season, he moved back into midfield on Friday, unlocking Malta’s defense to accommodate Bukayo Saka (back).

And he also scored a spectacular goal for the Three Lions from outside the area on Friday night

Alexander-Arnold (right) now hopes to question Gareth Southgate (left) as he continues to claim a midfield spot in England’s starting eleven

Stones is another option in midfield, although I would see him more of a Declan Rice type as you wouldn’t want to lose his defensive strength, while he isn’t as creative as Trent.

If England is to take the final step to win a trophy, Southgate needs to strike that right balance.

You can’t have three Trents in midfield, you want variety – power, communicators, people who stop danger, the ones who open teams.

Trent ticks most of the boxes and it’s not hard to put physicality around him to track runners and deliver muscle. He can then offer the added value.