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Trent Alexander-Arnold given huge opportunity to become England regular

Trent Alexander-Arnold given huge opportunity to become England regular

Thomas Barnes 07 Sep 2024, 09:57 Last modified: 07 Sep 2024

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be handed a huge opportunity, as England travel to Dublin to face the Republic of Ireland in the Nations League.

The Liverpool vice captain has been keen to establish himself as a regular in the England team for some time, after having to settle as a fringe player for the majority of Gareth Southgate's tenure.

The right-back spot at England has been a position overflowing with world-class talent over recent years, but an ageing Kyle Walker was left out of the latest squad because of a lack of game time at Manchester City. Kieran Trippier has retired from international duty, while Reece James is injured, so Alexander-Arnold could be handed a chance to make the position his own.

Interim boss Lee Carsley listed the Liverpool star amongst the defenders in the squad announcement and since then has stated he will play the 25-year-old at full-back rather than in midfield.

“For me, and this camp especially, he will be a right-back, playing in defence," Carsley said, as per Henry Winter.

“Trent, especially modern-day full-backs, have all-round attributes that almost turn them into midfielders, very comfortable receiving the ball, great range of passing, as has Rico (Lewis) and Kyle Walker-Peters, who I watched at Southampton the other day.

“At some point we will see him (Alexander-Arnold) come into midfield but I see him as a right-back."

England face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday at 5pm before welcoming Finland to Wembley on Tuesday, in League B of the UEFA Nations League.

© IMAGO - England v Iceland - International Friendly, Länderspiel, Nationalmannschaft Trent Alexander-Arnold of England on the ball during the international friendly match between England and Iceland at Wembley Stadium on June 7, 2024 in London, England. London Wembley Stadium England United Kingdom PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxUK Copyright: xNigelxFrench/Sportsphoto/APLx 14040447

Liverpool duo will be eyeing up a senior squad spot

Having worked as the under 21s manager in the England setup, Carsley is familiar with a number of Liverpool stars including Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah.

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Elliott and Quansah were selected once more for the under 21s, along with Tyler Morton, but Elliott was forced to pull out through injury, with Jones already sidelined.

The Liverpool talents will be hoping they can impress Carsley at club level, in hope they can be called up to the senior squad. They should get hope from seeing a number of stars from the UEFA U21 Championship winning squad being selected this time, such as Noni Madueke, Angel Gomes and Morgan Gibbs-White.