Trent Alexander-Arnold has regular heart-to-heart conversations with Gareth Southgate and could end up playing his new role for England.
Southgate has recalled the Liverpool full back to his squad for next month’s Euro qualifiers with Malta and North Macedonia after he was left out last time. That has only deepened the suspicions among Liverpool fans that Southgate does not rate Alexander-Arnold for whatever reason because he rarely gets a game even when he does make the England squad.
Alexander-Arnold, 24, is enjoying a new lease of life with Liverpool as an “inverted full back” who regularly pushes into midfield to get the best out of his passing range and crossing. Southgate insisted he has a “good relationship” with Alexander-Arnold and had spoken to him about his new role which could give the tantalising prospect of him doing the same for England.
Three Lions boss Southgate said: “The reason for the conversation was that I felt it was good to chat to him about what he is doing, about how I see it, how he sees it, what it might become. Contrary to what might be the mood music - I have a really good relationship with him and we talk a lot about his game, football.
“I’ve always recognised his qualities as a player but he’s just been bloody unlucky that we’ve got Walker, who has just had three of the best games I’ve seen from a right back, Trippier who has probably been one of the outstanding players this season, Reece James also.
“So that has been difficult and England won’t have been as fulfilling because he has unbelievable experiences with Liverpool and we haven’t been able to give him the same. But that doesn’t mean I don’t think he is a bloody good footballer and you’d like to find a way of it working because of his talents.
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“That’s why I felt it was important to call him as I have done in the past. As to what his best position is, who knows moving forward. We shouldn’t be sitting here saying he is a midfielder now because we have a glimpse of that but there’s a lot more to it and could be really exciting but let’s see.”
Southgate did not spring many surprises in his squad other than recalling Brighton captain Lewis Dunk after a four year absence and a first call-up for Crystal Palace ’s exciting attacking midfielder Eberechi Eze. Rather predictably, Southgate stuck with Harry Maguire again despite him hardly getting a kick at Old Trafford - but his position has actually markedly changed on the Manchester United defender.
Maguire has always been a must-pick for Southgate - but there was a clear message that the centre half must get game time next season. Southgate added: “Yes, inevitably it’s not a situation that can continue for ever. It’s like Kalvin Phillips, they are important players for us and with Kalvin we haven’t got many players who can play as that single pivot.
“Of course the longer that situation goes on the more concerning it is and we’ve got in Marc Guehi, Lewis Dunk, Tyrone Mings players who are playing well without the same experiences of club European football or international football.
“But we've got to keep searching for competition in that area of the pitch.”
