England manager Gareth Southgate is expected to stick with Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield against Denmark
According to the Telegraph, England manager Gareth Southgate is planning to stick with the same starting XI against Denmark in England’s second 2024 European Championships’ Group C fixture with Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield once again.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 25, started in the middle of the park for England against Serbia in their 2024 European Championships Group C opener on Sunday.
Traditionally a right-back, he joined Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in the engine room, with the latter proving to be the star of the show by netting the only goal to hand England a winning start in the tournament.
However, Trent Alexander-Arnold blew hot and cold in that role with flashes of attacking prowess but also a defensive slip-up that could have been costly for Gareth Southgate’s side. After failing to make the required impact in a new midfield role for the Three Lions against Serbia, the 25-year-old was substituted for Conor Gallagher in the second half.
The attacking right-back, who faced scrutiny following his performance in the 1-0 win over Serbia, is expected to get another opportunity to prove his naysayers wrong. The Liverpool star’s display was deemed underwhelming by some sections of English media and fans alike, yet the Telegraph claims Gareth Southgate is likely to persist with him in the centre of the pitch, aiming to unlock his attacking prowess alongside Bellingham and Phil Foden.
It makes complete sense for Southgate to stick with the same starting XI against Denmark, regardless of an overall subdued display in the 1-0 win over the Serbians. The England boss is expected to persist with Alexander-Arnold too, something which speaks volumes about his faith in the Liverpool vice-captain.
Alexander-Arnold, who usually operates at right-back for the Reds, is learning a new role and his ability to pick out his teammates in the final third and dynamic switches of play shows the type of midfielder he can be with patience and right coaching.
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Another start in the England engine room—this time against the Danes— would give the 25-year-old a great chance to shine, silence his doubters and underline his sublime quality, on the ball and off it. Let’s hope Alexander-Arnold produces a masterclass on the pitch and guides the Three Lions to another vital three points in Group C.
