Jamie Carragher has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is currently pushing Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham to start in England’s midfield after making a standout performance in Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Leicester City.
The 24-year-old, who has played a bigger role in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield this season, scored a superb free-kick from over 20 yards at the King Power Stadium on Monday night.
Although it was his second league goal of the season, Alexander-Arnold was a standout during the game and, according to Carragher, seems to have ‘re-energized’ since stepping into his new advanced role.
“I’ve seen a player who looks almost energetic,” Carragher told Sky Sports on Monday Night Football.
“Sometimes players are questioned by supporters who say, ‘Is he giving it his all?’ I think sometimes it’s also a mentality issue when the results aren’t going well and everyone is a bit down. You can almost have that body [language] by not looking like you’re giving your absolute all.”
“He now looks like he’s over the moon to be playing in midfield and he looks fast. He looks more energetic.
“He looks like it’s given him a second life, that’s what it feels like to me. And he’s been a revelation, the stats can see that. But if you look at his overall game, yes, he looks energetic again.’
The Sky Pundit recently claimed that the fullback was “at a crossroads in his career and needs to think hard this summer about how to develop further,” while telling Alexander-Arnold, who has been criticized for his defence, is considering whether to wanted to play full-back or in midfield.
Liverpool have now won their last seven Premier League games, with the full-back starting in all of them and becoming Klopp’s midfield mastermind.
He’s been in blistering form, has made six assists in the last eight games, got on well with his teammates and seems to be getting used to his new position.
Gareth Southgate watched from the stands at the King Power tonight and Gary Neville, also pundit, suggested the England manager will have to make a difficult selection decision given Alexander-Arnold’s new form in midfield.
“He can’t get into the England squad, so something can’t be right there,” said Neville.
“He has to put pressure on Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kieren Trippier and everyone else lined up to play. [full-back] from that position because his ability is special.
So how does England adapt and find a way for him in the years to come? Jurgen Klopp finds a way for him. He adjusts his team for Trent Alexander-Arnold and the fact that they conceded goals.
“The three in the back, the two in the front, and that means Trent might not get as visible on that side, and it works for them.”
The full-back has struggled to break into Southgate’s England squad of late with 18 caps and a senior goal.
He was part of the Three Lions’ 2022 World Cup squad, but played just 33 minutes of the tournament during England’s 3–0 win against Wales.
And Carragher agreed with Neville, suggesting the 24-year-old has good reason to start in England’s midfield alongside Rice and Bellingham.
“If I’m Gareth Southgate and you’re talking about challenging those right-backs, I’d almost think he’s also challenging midfielders now.
“Remember it was Southgate who put him first in midfield. Jurgen Klopp criticized Gareth Southgate for it. So when we talk about England’s midfield options, you’re basically saying, you’ve got Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, there’s not much behind that, so I think he’s putting them under pressure.’
And Carragher had his say on where he thinks the 24-year-old should start for England.
“Forget a hybrid role,” he added. “He could actually play in midfield. I don’t think we ever talk about a fullback like he does. No one else is mentioned more often than him.
“The reason is that we have never seen anyone like him. You look at him and think how can he be so good with the ball, free kicks, passing ability.’
“He’s now in this hybrid role where he’s leading games and creating chances from almost the halfway line.
“Not even like a number ten sliding in a turn and making a little pass. He makes strides of 40-50 meters to let people through.
“He gets caught defensively sometimes, there’s no denying that, but he’s probably one of the most talked about full-backs of all time, especially in the Premier League era.”
More to follow…