Liverpool fans would have been delighted to see Trent Alexander-Arnold starting at right-back for England. It has been four years since the Liverpool creator started in that position for his country, with Gareth Southgate using Alexander-Arnold in midfield at Euro 2024. England beat the Republic of Ireland 2-0 in Dublin on Saturday for their UEFA Nations League opener and all eyes were on Lee Carsley’s first XI as interim manager.
With Kieran Trippier retiring from England duty, Kyle Walker not selected and Reece James still suffering from injury issues, then it opened the door for Alexander-Arnold to finally step forward into a role he has thrived in at club level. Southgate’s defensive system couldn’t get the best out of the passing specialist – that’s not a surprise – but in Carsley’s new attacking system, fans have now got a glimpse of what he can do. Alexander-Arnold might not have had an assist or goal to his name, but he was involved in the opening goal and it was typical of the Liverpool man.
Roy Keane was critical of Ireland for giving the 25-year-old time on the ball from his right-back spot, and like he has done for years, he pinged a delicious ball over the top, through the heart of Ireland’s defence and for the on-rushing Anthony Gordon. The Newcastle winger couldn’t convert his one-v-one effort, but eventually, the ball was recycled, thrown straight back into the mixer and Ireland’s public enemy number one Declan Rice scored . Keane loved wha.