Trent Alexander-Arnold proves Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp right with Liverpool impact clear
Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot appear to have been proved right with the latest decision on Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool vice-captain is with the England squad during the international break and has seemingly returned to his favoured role.
Saturday night saw the Three Lions claim a 2-0 win over the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League. Declan Rice and Jack Grealish were on the score sheet for England, but from Liverpool's perspective, it was Alexander-Arnold's role that caught the bulk of the attention.
England have a new manager in charge following Gareth Southgate's departure after the defeat to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Lee Carsley has been placed in interim charge, and one of his first decisions was to start Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
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The 25-year-old lined up at right-back for England against Ireland and played the full 90 minutes. Marc Guehi and Harry Maguire started at centre-back, with Levi Colwill at left-back for the Three Lions.
Alexander-Arnold was one of England's best players in the game, earning plenty of positive reviews from fans and pundits following his performance at the Aviva Stadium.
The Times reporter Jonathan Northcroft stated that this was the first time that Alexander-Arnold had started at right-back in a competitive fixture for England in almost four years. In that time, Southgate either chose to use the Liverpool vice-captain in a midfield role or leave him on the bench, with Kyle Walker often the preferred right-back choice.
Walker was not selected by Carsley in the latest England squad, with Tino Livramento the other right-back option for the Three Lions during this international break. It has taken just one game for Carsely to utilise Alexander-Arnold in the position that has seen him become one of, if not the best, in world football over the last few years.
Even though Southgate chose to use Alexander-Arnold in midfield, Klopp still utilised the player at right-back during his time as Liverpool manager. And just three games into his reign as Liverpool head coach, Slot has followed the same path by selecting Alexander-Arnold in defence rather than midfield.
We will find out on Tuesday night if Carsley will continue with Alexander-Arnold at right-back when England face Finland at Wembley Stadium. After that, there is not likely to be any doubt where the Reds vice-captain will line up when Liverpool face Nottingham Forest next Saturday in the Premier League.