Gareth Southgate reveals why he 'didn't think twice' about Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role
Gareth Southgate has discussed Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role with England, saying he 'didn't think twice' about playing the Liverpool man in midfield.
Alexander-Arnold was the star of the international break for the Three Lions in their emphatic wins over North Macedonia and Malta. From the heart of the England midfield, Alexander-Arnold bagged himself a goal and an assist across two games, earning an 8/10 and 9/10 in 90min's player ratings for his efforts too.
Speaking after Monday's 7-0 win against North Macedonia about the decision to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The other night he just had to tag the pivot really and he did that well.
"Tonight he had to make a lot of decisions and he did it almost immaculately. He regained a lot of balls. His pressing was good, so for me, he has got everything to play in there.
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"I didn't even think twice about starting him in there. It might give us something completely different. The vision and the passing range and the connection with Bukayo [Saka] for his second goal."
After the win over Malta on Friday evening, Alexander-Arnold also discussed playing midfield, saying that it was a potential 'avenue' to more caps.
"It is certainly an avenue," Alexander-Arnold said. "One that is clearly being explored and is something the manager wants to explore and I want to explore. It is one that is exciting for the future, and who knows?
"For me, I want to make sure I am playing as many England games as possible and that has always been the aim, causing headaches for the manager. I think this is a potential route we can go down that will help me get into the team."
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