Gareth Southgate assesses Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield

Gareth Southgate has given his assessment of Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield after his performances there for England this week.

England have not had the most memorable week, it should be said. The national side played out two largely forgettable fixtures to see out their Euro 2024 qualifying.

But that isn't to say there wasn't anything to take from it all. For Liverpool, in particular, they'll have found the games very interesting.

That's because of a big decision from Gareth Southgate - playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield. The Scouser has always had that position suggested to him by fans and pundits, and here he is playing it for England.

Of course, Liverpool have had a taste of it over the last year. The Reds made a tactical change midway through last season, allowing Alexander-Arnold to drift in off the flank to take up a more sitting midfield position in possession.

That's been very successful, too, and does feel like it could be the step that precedes a more permanent switch into midfield. England are allowing a preview in that regard.

So how did he do? Southgate talked about Alexander-Arnold after the game, giving a fairly thorough assessment of what he saw.

"Very good," he said. "His comfort in possession is excellent.

"It was a night where it was hard to play the longer passes as the ball would just run through and bounce through so it was hard to play those passes he so often makes, where he drifts it in behind the defence and it stands for the centre-forward.

“But his awareness of the game and his defensive work in a new position was excellent as well, so he’s done really well in the past two games.”

It's a great review from Southgate, given he went as far as leaving Alexander-Arnold out of his squad entirely in 2022. Perhaps he does have a future there, then - if not for Liverpool, then certainly England.

Don't rule out it happening in red, too, though.