Gareth Southgate has explained that Trent Alexander-Arnold “has a great quality”, but believes that Kieran Trippier also possesses a similar quality.
The Liverpool full-back is yet to start a game for England at the World Cup with the Newcastle man and Manchester City’s Kyle Walker being preferred to the 24-year-old and the Three Lions boss has now explained the thinking behind his decisions.
“The [Alexander-Arnold] I could definitely do it against a team that sits behind,” Southgate explained during his press conference ahead of his team’s clash with Wales tonight (quoted by Sport Bible).
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“But that’s not how I saw the game against the United States. I don’t think they recline at all. I think they were aggressive and athletic in their pressing.
“But he has great quality on the ball and he can do that, but Tripps [Kieran Trippier] it has a great quality too.”
England drew 0-0 against USA on Friday and the game cried out for the creativity our number 66 so often delivers; he even displayed his world-class shooting ability during training with his country recently.
The Scouser has redefined the right-back position in recent years and is one of Jurgen Klopp’s most important players.
Alexander-Arnold’s defensive ability has been called into question at times by this term, but there is no denying the threat he poses going forward and it could be argued that Harry Kane has suffered a foul serve so far this tournament.
England are currently 3-0 against Wales (at the time of writing) and the Reds’ Academy graduate has been thrown into the action during the last 30 minutes of proceedings.
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