International football is always an interesting time for fans and club staff alike. First and foremost, you want your guys to get back to your facilities in one piece and fit. However, a close second to this is you want them to perform well on such a big stage. Trent Alexander-Arnold has checked both boxes after his time with England during the most recent Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Liverpool’s No. 66 has been in sparkling form for the Three Lions as he carried his fine form from the end of the Premier League season to the international stage. Donning the most famous number in football, the No. 10, Alexander-Arnold has been the driving force in a good round of qualifying for Gareth Southgate’s men.
He is being utilized in a more full-time advanced role which has allowed him the freedom to dictate the play and pull whatever strings he sees fit. Still, only 24 years old, his vision and feel for the game are that of a seasoned veteran.
His performance against Malta was perfectly summed up by Squawka as you can see below.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's game by numbers vs. Malta:
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) June 16, 2023
77 touches
12 passes into final ⅓
10 x possession won
7 duels won
5 take-ons completed (most)
3 chances created
2 tackles made
1 shot
1 goal
0 fouls
There's a new No.10 in town. pic.twitter.com/o5ft0eI8R2
These are the performances that we were seeing down the stretch of the league season as Klopp began experimenting with TAA in the heart of the attack. He was the driving force for the Reds going forward, and this has been amplified for England.
Whereas he starts at RB at Anfield, he’s been fully engrained in the midfield from the opening kickoff for Southgate. When Liverpool announced they would not be pursuing Jude Bellingham any further, a lot of fans shifted to the view of Trent sliding up on a permanent basis.
Based on these performances, it is looking like that could be the case going forward. In the second qualifier of the weekend, against North Macedonia, while there was no goal, he once again controlled proceedings capped by a superb assist for one of Bukayo Saka’s 3 goals on the night.
His link up play on the right side with Saka is something that will leave England fans salivating for more in the future. With Declan Rice holding the center of the park down, Alexander-Arnold has free reign to roam wherever he desires to create opportunities for everyone.
With Liverpool being linked to the powerhouse Khephren Thuram to come in and partner with Fabinho, TAA should have this same cover at club level as well. Some people will say, it was only Malta and North Macedonia. While this is absolutely true, if you take a step back and look at the totality of the run-in to finish the Premier League and these Euro qualifiers, you can see something special is beginning to brew.
His stunning strike against Malta and the sensational assist versus North Macedonia will deservedly capture the headlines. However, it’s the in-between work that should have Liverpool and England fans extremely excited.
There’s no guarantee that Jurgen Klopp will move Alexander-Arnold permanently to the midfield, but based on these returns, he absolutely has some food for thought. One thing is for certain, the Liverpool born and bred starlet, has unlocked a new level to his game.
It’s time for both club and country to no longer fight it but embrace it and let the man cook. They can only benefit from it.