Jordan Henderson reveals his opinion on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position

Trent trialled in midfield

A long-running joke among England fans has been the sheer number of right-backs named in squads by Gareth Southgate. Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold were all named in the Euro 2020 squad, before the Liverpool defender was forced to pull out through injury.

As such, innovative positions have been trialled with them: Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Kieran Trippier have both been deployed as auxiliary left and left wing-backs in the past, while Kyle Walker has made the right centre half position his own in Southgate’s favoured back 3.

Against Andorra, it was the turn of Trent Alexander-Arnold to have a new position, as he found himself deployed in central midfield against the minnows, alongside Jude Bellingham and Liverpool team mate Jordan Henderson.

Your #ThreeLions to take on Andorra at @wembleystadium! 🦁 pic.twitter.com/HdGiH0PBNK

— England (@England) September 5, 2021

As much as can be expected against such comfortable opposition, Trent enjoyed a strong showing, perhaps opening the door to future appearances in the centre of the park.

Henderson has his say

However, not all were convinced that Liverpool’s right-back taking up a new role permanently, none more so than his club captain Jordan Henderson. Speaking after the game, he revealed:

“Trent did some good things. Obviously it was his first time really in that position so he’s learning all the time, it’s a new experience for him. He did really well.”

“We changed personnel a little bit in the second half but it is a great experience for him. Going forward it is a possibility for him and the manager will think that’s good for him.

“But at the minute he is so good at right-back, especially at club level, that I don’t see that changing in the near future.

“But it’s good the gaffer here is looking at it to see what he can add – you have to be very talented to play in any position – but for me, he is so good at the right-hand side delivering crosses that he should stick to that for the time being.”

With no recognised back-up on Merseyside, it is unlikely that we will see TAA feature in central midfield at club level any time soon, but could it be his route into the England side?

Read more:

 A return to football on the cards? Ex-Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge training in Spain ahead of potential return

 Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka bags individual award on back of England’s meeting with Andorra