Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals "excitement" at midfield opportunity with England

Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed his "new-found excitement" at the midfield opportunities he has been handed with England. 

The Liverpool defender has teamed up with the Three Lions once again during the November international break and is expected to play a significant role in Euro 2024 qualifiers against Malta and North Macedonia.

With Gareth Southgate's side having already qualified for next summer's tournament, there is likely to be room for Alexander-Arnold to feature.

There have been persistent questions over where Alexander-Arnold might fit in an England team stocked with world-class right-back options, but the fact that he has been listed as a midfielder in Southgate's side for the upcoming qualifiers suggests that particular question has been answered.

The 25-year-old has been used by England in central midfield before, while very occasionally being asked to play there for Liverpool. However, under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage, Alexander-Arnold has been preferred in an inverted full-back role that sees him step into midfield but maintain his defensive duties without the ball.

However, speaking before the clash with Malta, Liverpool's No. 66 has revealed that he has been thoroughly enjoying his role with the national team in a more advanced position.

Speaking in a pre-match press conference on Friday, he said: "No matter what, I've always got the impression that you learn more through the difficult situations you go through in life, and also as a football player.

"It's the hard times that teach you the best lessons and there has been difficult moments throughout, but you persevere to get them opportunities.

"Since we spoke, me and the manager [Southgate] in the summer, about a midfield opportunity and trying to see if we can make it work and how it could potentially look, there's been a definite new-found excitement for me.

"It's a huge opportunity and it's one that I'm grateful to have, but I also want to make sure I take it."

In a recent interview with The Times, Alexander-Arnold also said: "My skillset is probably best suited to someone who plays in the middle, controls the game, creates and gets people off their seats. I want to start at the Euros and help win silverware for England."

While Klopp has been hesitant to thrust Alexander-Arnold into an out-and-out midfield role, Southgate's international experiments could serve Liverpool well.

If the right-back can thrive in a more advanced position, especially in the defensive aspect of his game, then he could become an option for the Liverpool boss further forward.

However, while strong England performances in midfield would be hard to ignore, facing Malta is a much simpler test than playing Manchester City.