Former Liverpool and Manchester United captain Paul Ince says Trent Alexander-Arnold should start alongside Arsenal’s Declan Rice in midfield for England.
The Three Lions kick off their Euro 2024 campaign against Serbia on Sunday night but there has been a debate about who should partner Rice. United’s Kobbie Mainoo and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher are also under consideration but Ince believes Trent’s talent in possession should get him the nod:
“I think in the group stages you don’t want to go all guns blazing, especially against a decent Serbia team. I like the idea of maybe putting Trent in there, alongside Rice. No one else has the passing ability that Trent has.”
“If you ever want to get up the pitch, he can get you up the pitch. If you’re playing the likes of Bukayo Saka, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane he can pick people out. So if it was me, I’d probably play Trent alongside Rice.”
Slot will be an interested spectator
Alexander-Arnold was never really deployed as a midfielder by Jurgen Klopp but England boss Gareth Southgate has been open to starting the 25-year-old in that position.
If he does perform well during the tournament in Germany, it will give Liverpool head coach Arne Slot much to think about. Many feel that Alexander-Arnold’s future lies in midfield and the Dutchman could be the one who facilitates the transition at club level.
Liverpool fans will be hoping Alexander-Arnold avoids injury
Of course, like with every other major international tournament, most Reds supporters will not be too interested in who wins, but they will be hoping all of their players (including Alexander-Arnold) come back fit and healthy for pre-season training.
Slot will be very keen to get working with his new players and it would be a big blow if any of the big names were missing due to injury.
