Report: England Right-Back Emerges as Creator-in-Chief | OneFootball

The Trent Alexander-Arnold Debate is Settled: England’s Creator-in-Chief from Right-Back

For a long time, the debate about where Trent Alexander-Arnold fits in the England setup has raged on. Many have questioned whether the Liverpool right-back, renowned for his remarkable vision and technical ability, should be deployed further up the pitch or even as a deep-lying midfielder. Yet, as England strolled to a comfortable victory over Finland, one thing became evident: Alexander-Arnold doesn’t need to be a midfielder to influence games. As reported by The Telegraph.

On Tuesday night, Alexander-Arnold was at his absolute best. From right-back, the 25-year-old dictated the tempo, picked passes no one else saw, and created more chances than anyone else on the field. As he notched two assists and controlled the game, it became increasingly clear that this is his role, his natural position—where he can blend the defensive duties of a full-back with the creative flair of a playmaker.

England’s interim manager, Lee Carsley, has stuck to his guns about Alexander-Arnold’s role in the team. “I see him as a right-back,” Carsley said early in his tenure, and Tuesday’s match only validated his decision. While previous managers, including Gareth Southgate, experimented with pushing Alexander-Arnold into midfield, Carsley’s approach has been simpler yet more effective: keep him in his natural position but allow him the freedom to drift infield and dictate from deeper areas when the situation calls for it.

Alexander-Arnold’s Impact from Deep

The match against Finland was the perfect example of why Alexander-Arnold is best utilised from right-back, not in a more central midfield role. His vision and passing ability were on full display, none more so than when he broke the Finnish defensive lines with a perfectly weighted pass to Noni Madueke, who assisted Harry Kane for his second goal. His assist for Kane’s first was equally impressive, although, remarkably, it wasn’t even among his most eye-catching passes of the night.

What makes Alexander-Arnold so unique in this position is that he doesn’t need the ball as often as a conventional midfielder to make a significant impact. His ability to read the game from a deeper position gives him more space and time to pick out the right pass—something that he arguably doesn’t have when tasked with more frequent touches in a central role.

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Alexander-Arnold created five chances against Finland, the most of any player on the pitch, and this was not a one-off performance. No England player has created five or more chances in a game more often than him since 2019. In fact, the match illustrated why Alexander-Arnold’s skillset makes him a generational talent for England.

Competition with Kyle Walker

Of course, the other side of this debate is Kyle Walker, who remains one of the best defensive right-backs of his generation. Walker’s presence has undeniably limited Alexander-Arnold’s opportunities for England, particularly in high-stakes tournament matches. Walker is a phenomenal athlete, capable of covering vast distances and neutralising attacking threats down the right. In contrast, Alexander-Arnold offers less defensive solidity but more creativity.

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Against teams like Finland and Ireland—sides that pose little attacking threat—Alexander-Arnold can thrive as an attacking outlet from deep. However, it remains to be seen whether Carsley, or whoever takes charge of England for Euro 2024, will trust Alexander-Arnold in this role against stronger opposition.

Walker, at 34, is nearing the end of his international career, and while there’s no indication that he plans to retire before the next World Cup, Alexander-Arnold will be 27 by then and in the prime of his career. Carsley’s decision to allow him the freedom to influence games from right-back could be pivotal for England’s future, especially as more playmakers like Angel Gomes and Rico Lewis are integrated into the team.

Looking Ahead: Alexander-Arnold’s Role in Euro 2024

For England, the question now is whether Alexander-Arnold will be trusted to play a central role in their plans for Euro 2024. With Lee Carsley opting to risk more creative players like Gomes and Lewis, there’s room for Alexander-Arnold to shine as a hybrid full-back who can dictate the game from deeper positions.

However, his path to being England’s first-choice right-back isn’t guaranteed. Ben White’s absence from the England squad is still a talking point, and if the Arsenal man makes himself available again, he could provide further competition for Alexander-Arnold and Walker. Nevertheless, the match against Finland felt like a turning point—proof that Alexander-Arnold’s skillset is too valuable to ignore, particularly when he’s allowed to roam from right-back and influence play in ways few others can.

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What’s next for Alexander-Arnold is as much about his club future as it is about England. With Liverpool facing their own challenges, his role at the club could evolve, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him experiment more as a midfielder under Jurgen Klopp. For now, though, his future in the England team looks brighter than it has in years. After so many false starts, this could finally be the moment when Alexander-Arnold establishes himself as England’s main creator, from the right-back position no less.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold shine in an England shirt is always a moment of pride. But what’s especially exciting about this recent performance is how it reinforces what so many Liverpool supporters have been saying for years: Alexander-Arnold doesn’t need to be a midfielder to control a game. His creativity and range of passing are unparalleled, and from right-back, he has the time and space to dictate play in ways that others simply can’t.

This should serve as a reminder of just how important Alexander-Arnold is for Liverpool’s system too. While there’s been talk of moving him into midfield permanently, his role as an advanced playmaker from the full-back position is what sets him apart. At only 25, Alexander-Arnold still has his best years ahead of him, and with Arne Slot at the helm, Liverpool fans can expect many more magical moments.

Looking ahead, there’s real excitement about what he could achieve both for club and country. Liverpool’s push for more silverware, combined with England’s ambitions at Euro 2024, means that Alexander-Arnold will be central to both projects. Watching him grow into this dual role as creator-in-chief for both sides is something that Liverpool fans should relish.