“Malta 0-4 England: Trent Alexander-Arnold impresses in an advanced position for Three Lions,” screamed a BBC Sport headline after the Liverpool right back gave England manager Gareth Southgate “mouth-watering food for thought” on a night in Malta that saw Southgate's side tighten their grip on Euro 2024 qualifying Group C. Alexander-Arnold started in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jordan Henderson. The main topic of discussion going into the match was the coach’s decision to play the 24-year-old who has struggled to hold down a starting place under Southgate, in midfield. But he didn’t disappoint; he excelled as England cruised to a 4-0 win at Malta. TAA pic.twitter.com/y4DFQQsl8m — Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 17, 2023 Alexander-Arnold wore the No 10 shirt for the game and relished his new role. He scored one – a superb goal from 25 yards – and was involved in England's other two goals before half-time. He then powered home a right-foot shot for England's second in the 28th minute and was also involved in the move two minutes later that ended with Kane being tripped for a penalty he scored for his 56th England goal. I enjoyed it. I love playing football and being on the pitch and representing my country, he told Channel 4. To play the full 90 minutes, I was happy. After the little break at the end of the season, it was about getting fitness back in my legs. I want to make sure I am regularly on the team sheet and today was a good foundation to build on. The variety of his passing and power down the right was a constant threat and Southgate hailed his goal-scoring performance in midfield. Outstanding, @TrentAA pic.twitter.com/MM2SqcbDzY — Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 16, 2023 Southgate who has rarely trusted Alexander-Arnold at full-back, preferring Reece James, Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier, said: He showed exactly what we think he could be capable of and he gives us something different to our other midfield players. He has enjoyed the project The coach revealed that he spoke with Alexander-Arnold a month earlier about his plans. According to Southgate, a lot of what happens is going to be dependent on Alexander-Arnold’s club, Liverpool, because the fact that he has been playing partly in there, with the ball, helped his transition on Friday night. What was pleasing tonight is that he's getting used to receiving in tight areas with his back to goal and players behind him, whereas he is used to playing on the touchline, with the play in front of him. He was very comfortable doing that. I've got no questions in my head. He can do it. It's just learning some nuances of the role, without the ball especially, but he's very keen to do it. He has enjoyed the project, if you like. We talked about it about four weeks ago on the phone and I think he's been excited by it. He showed exactly what we think he could be capable of and he gives us something different to our other midfield players. English football pundit Jamie Carragher, meanwhile, took to Twitter to say he expects Alexander-Arnold's move into midfield to become permanent. The former footballer who played as a defender for Liverpool said that the “midfield role for TAA will eventually become the norm for club [and] country.” This midfield role for TAA will eventually become the norm for club & country! He creates plenty from full back as he will in CM, but the goal he has just scored will happen a lot more in midfield. He could get double figures in goals & assists playing further forward. https://t.co/XAkm0lQvue — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) June 16, 2023 Speaking on Channel 4, former England midfielder Joe Cole, said that “everything good that England have done has come through him after the first-half display. He's picked up great positions, he's probing with his passing, he's been the hub of everything that England have done. You have to get a system around getting Trent into positions where he can affect the game - he'd be a joy to play with,” added Cole. In that position, it gets the best out of the great qualities he's got. He can make things happen, he understands space in midfield and defensively he was very good. He looked very, very comfortable and he looked happy. It was a real top performance from him. Friday’s victory might have been one of the easiest for England for many years but it showed what Alexander-Arnold is capable of, for Liverpool and England, in midfield. It would particularly be special to watch him play in the position against Chelsea when the 2023/24 Premier League season starts, and Chelsea host Liverpool in Mauricio Pochettino's first game. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp certainly has some thinking to do, especially after missing out on 19-year-old Jude Bellingham, a generational talent who will surely become a world star in La Liga. After snapping up the World Cup winner from Brighton, Alexis Mac Allister, Klopp needs to bring in at least one more midfielder, if not two, as the Reds continue to revamp their midfield. But, unable to rely on Champions League riches this season, he might need to be more creative, especially having seen his midfield completely collapse in 2022/23. Alexander-Arnold thrived in a hybrid midfield role for the club in the final months of the season. And, after England’s win in Malta, he said: It feels natural, I will say that. It's somewhere I can see myself playing. I want to make sure I am regularly on the team sheet and that was a good foundation to build on. I think the role I've been playing with club football, it's a new avenue. It's still early doors, it's only one match, but it's important that when I get the opportunity, I take it.
