Robbie Fowler wants England manager Gareth Southgate to alter his formation to fit Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold in the starting XI
Former England striker Robbie Fowler is the latest to share his thoughts on Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold’s midfield conundrum for England, as quoted from a report in the Daily Mirror (h/t The Liverpool ECHO).
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 25, has been used in midfield by Gareth Southgate in England’s opening two group-stage games at the 2024 Euros in Germany. The Anfield ace played 69 minutes against Serbia and 54 minutes against Denmark, with the Three Lions winning 1-0 and drawing 1-1 in those fixtures respectively.
Up next is a crucial fixture against Slovenia on Tuesday evening, with first place in Group C still up for grabs ahead of the final round of matches. England boss Gareth Southgate has several decisions to make, one of which will once again include the heavily criticised Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Liverpool vice-captain has faced criticism from sections of the English media, pundits and fans alike for his performances in a new midfield role for England in this ongoing competition. However, Liverpool great Robbie Fowler has come in the defence of Alexander-Arnold, stating Southgate’s decision to use the 25-year-old in the middle of the park “strange”.
“The best managers build teams that are better than the sum of their parts.,” Fowler told the Daily Mirror (h/t The Liverpool ECHO).
“And if it ain’t working, then they fix it. Trent Alexander-Arnold is a case in point. Gareth doesn’t fancy Trent at full-back because he feels he has better options in Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.
“But the gamble of crowbarring Trent in alongside Declan Rice in midfield hasn’t worked. If anything, an elite pivot has to be even more switched on defensively than a full-back because their role is to read where danger is coming from and plug the gap before trouble is allowed to escalate.”
The 49-year-old former-player-turned manager feels the England manager’s midfield experiment involving Alexander-Arnold hasn’t worked out. He feels the Liverpool star is “one of the best right-backs in the game” and has tipped Southgate to use him as a wing-back in an altered back-three system against Slovenia.
“It’s a specialist job. Asking TAA to do that when, in my opinion, he is one of the best right-backs in the game, seems strange to say the least,” he added.
“Trent HAS to play. Surely the answer is to deploy him as a wing-back, with Walker, John Stones and Marc Guehi stiffening the centre of defence.”
It is clear for everyone to see that Southgate’s midfield experiment involving Alexander-Arnold hasn’t worked out in the first two fixtures for England. The England boss has come under fire for playing the Liverpool man in midfield, as opposed to his natural role at right-back where he is regarded as one of the best in the world.
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After two subdued displays, Alexander-Arnold’s place in the England starting XI looks to be in jeopardy against Slovenia. With little room for error, our vice-captain could be the unlucky player to drop out if Southgate decides to alter England’s midfield setup.
