Trent Alexander-Arnold has admitted he considers his best position to be central midfield. The Liverpool vice-captain has shone at right-back ever since breaking into the Reds first team in the 2016/17 season. However, his role has been tweaked this calendar year, with Jurgen Klopp now encouraging the England international to advance centrally as an inverted full-back.
Meanwhile, such a switch at club level has seen Gareth Southgate now consider the 25-year-old a midfield option for the Three Lions, following a conversation between the pair in the summer. He started in the engine room against Malta and North Macedonia back in June, registering both a goal and an assist, and is expected to line up in the position again in the return fixture against the former on Friday night. Speaking about the positional change, Alexander-Arnold has admitted that the opportunity to play in midfield has excited him and believes it is the role that suits him best.
“I had spoken to the manager (Southgate) and he explained to me there could be a potential opportunity in midfield, going forward for me,” he told reporters while away on international duty. “When I heard those words, it ignited something within me. There was a chance for me to take it and I think that’s what I did.
“I’ve played around 20 games for England. I’ve had some opportunities, I’ve had minutes. But now, I feel like there’s a real opportunity for me, especially in a role that I think will get the best out of me. “As for whether I’m a midfielder or not, my specific skill set and what I’m best at is someone who plays in the middle, someone who controls the game, controls the tempo, creates, breaks line, progresses the ball up the pitch so those kinds of skills you would say are suited to someone who plays in the middle of the pitch.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of England speaks to the media during an England Press Conference at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre
