Jamie Carragher has claimed Trent Alexander-Arnold is “currently pushing Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham” to start in the England midfield, having been a standout performer in Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Leicester City.
The 24-year-old, who has played a more advanced role in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield this season, scored a simply sublime free-kick from over 20 yards at the King Power Stadium on Monday night.
While it was his second league goal of the season, Alexander-Arnold stood out during the game and, according to Carragher, he appears to have been ‘invigorated’ since stepping into his new forward role .
“I saw a player who almost looked invigorated,” Carragher told Sky Sports during Monday Night Football.
“Sometimes players are questioned by fans saying ‘is he giving his all’. I think sometimes when the results aren’t going well and everyone is a bit depressed, that’s also a question You can almost have that body [language] not to seem to give everything.
“He looks absolutely thrilled at the moment to play in midfield and he looks fast. He looks more energetic.
“It seems to have breathed new life into him, that’s how I feel. And it was an eye opener, the stats can see that. But in terms of just observing his overall game, yes, he looks invigorated.
The Sky Pundit recently claimed the wing-back is ‘at a crossroads in his career and needs to think carefully this summer about how to move forward’, while telling Alexander-Arnold, who has come under fire for his defense , to wonder if he wanted to play full back or midfield.
Liverpool have now won their last seven Premier League games, with the winger starting in all those games and emerging to become Klopp’s brain in midfield.
He’s been in blistering form, bagging six assists in the last eight games, gelling with his teammates and seems to be settling in well in his new position.
Gareth Southgate was watching from the stands at the King Power tonight, and fellow pundit Gary Neville suggested the England manager would have a difficult selection decision given Alexander-Arnold’s newfound form in midfield .
“He can’t get into the England squad, so something can’t be there,” Neville said.
“He’s got to push Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kieren Trippier and everyone else lining up to play [full-back] out of this position because his ability is special.
“So how are England adapting and finding a way for him over the next few years? Jurgen Klopp finds a way for him. He adapts his team for Trent Alexander-Arnold and the fact that they concede goals.
“The three at the back, the two at the front, and that means Trent might not be as exposed on that side, and it works for them.”
The full-back has struggled to break into Southgate’s England squad of late after amassing 18 caps and one goal for the senior team.
He was part of the Three Lions squad for the 2022 World Cup but played just 33 minutes at the tournament, in England’s 3-0 win over Wales.
And Carragher agreed with Neville, suggesting the 24-year-old has a strong case to start in the England midfield alongside Rice and Bellingham.
“He also challenges midfielders now. We’re actually saying, you have Rice, Bellingham, and I think he’s pushing them.
“Forget a hybrid role, he could play in midfield. I don’t think we ever talk about a full-back like we talk about him.
“We have never seen anyone like him. How good he is on the ball, crosses, free kicks, he passes 40-50 yards to get people through.
“He gets caught out defensively sometimes, that’s undeniable, but he’s been talked about more than any full-back in Premier League history, it seems.”
More soon…
