Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to start at LEFT BACK for England against Finland as Lee Carsley tries another experiment with Liverpool star
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to start at left-back for England against Finland tonight, in a new tactical move from Lee Carsley.
No recognized left back has been named in the starting line-up for the game in Helsinki.
Kyle Walker will also start, but will play on his typical right side, while Levi Colwill, who has experience playing on the left, will be on the bench.
Mail Sport’s Sami Mokbel reported on Saturday that Alexander-Arnold could be tried on the left following indications in training.
It marks a new adventure for Alexander-Arnold, who was used as a central midfielder during the 2024 European Championship and has played at right back for the last three games in the Nations League – his longest run in England begins.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will start on the bench for England, as Mail Sport predicted
Lee Carsley has faced criticism for his experiments so far, but has refused to back down
Carsley named an experimental starting XI against Greece and England lost 2β1 that evening
Carsley was criticized for the left-field tactics that saw England slump to a 2-1 defeat by Greece at Wembley on Thursday evening.
It was difficult to figure out what the English system was as it did not feature a regular striker, although it was ultra-attacking, with Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Anthony Gordon and Bukayo Saka all playing advanced roles in an confusing blend.
Still, Carsley stood by his bold decisions. ‘I understand the interest and the criticism, and that’s fine. βI’m very wary of the fact that the last time we won anything was in 1966, so we need to have the ability to try something different,β he said.
‘Would I change anything? Maybe. Obviously I would change the result. But it doesn’t stop me. I don’t want to sit back in a month’s time and regret that I was safe. This is a great opportunity, not only for myself, but also for the rest of the staff and players to try something different.
βJust to go with the same team and the same players and hardly do the same thing, but not be like that… and not try so many things.
‘Your human instinct is to be safe, to deal with things that you feel comfortable with, but it was important that during this period I felt like I had to get out of my comfort zone, I have to try something because we have to put ourselves in a position where we can win.
“It’s naive to think we can just do the same thing again and expect something different.”
This week, Alexander-Arnold spoke positively about England’s tactical flexibility under Carsley.
Carsley defended his tactics in England’s defeat to Greece at Wembley on Thursday
He told ITV Sport: ‘I think the way we play suits the style of the way I look at the game.
βWe’re not just dots on the field that have to stay right in that space, it’s free-roaming, it’s turning, it’s coming in, coming out and freedom.
Carsley has also handed a first start to Dean Henderson – his first cap in 1,431 days – and against Angel Gomes the young midfielder has looked to make his mark from the start.
More to follow.