Former England international Martin Keown has heaped praised on Liverpool right back Trent Alexander-Arnold after his performance against the United States of America last week.
The 20-year-old opened his account for the Three Lions with a fine strike against the Americans, the highlight from a display brimming with quality.
Keown was clearly delighted: “I was really impressed by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance against the USA,” he wrote in his ‘Tackle Keown’ column for the Mail [12:15]. “He may be England’s third-choice right back when Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier are both available but he is simply too good not to be in this England team.”
In fact, Keown is advocating a change of position for the youngster: “Should [Gareth] Southgate explore the possibility of playing him in holding midfield? He has all the attributes to play in that position: the defensive ability, his passing, his ability to strike a ball. He has the pace to cover the defence and against the USA I was particularly impressed with his creativity. He was playing diagonal balls with such confidence and vision. I believe he would thrive in this role.”
OPINION
Alexander-Arnold in holding midfield? It’s an idea so crazy it might work. The Liverpudlian has been such a success at full back that the possibility of him playing in other roles has never really been considered, but it’s true that he has the attributes required for a successful holding midfielder. At a time when England are blessed with top class right backs it might be a good idea for Southgate to try Alexander-Arnold out in the position, perhaps in a friendly match. He is defensively discipled, quick, a fine passer of the ball and is underrated in his attacking ability. Like Keown says, he was spraying some beautiful balls across the pitch against the Americans, suggesting that a midfield role could be in his future. It’s something worth discussing and perhaps testing out in training at least. Walker and Trippier are both excellent players at right back, but no one has nailed down a holding midfield position for England just yet. Perhaps Alexander-Arnold could be the man to do so.
