Jamie Carragher lauds ‘re-energised’ Trent Alexander-Arnold following his free-kick vs Leicester

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is currently ‘pushing Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham’ to start in England’s midfield, after he was a standout performer during Liverpool’s 3-0 win against Leicester City. 

The 24-year-old, who has stepped up to play a more advanced role in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield this season, scored a simply sublime free-kick from over 20 yards out at the King Power Stadium on Monday night. 

While it was his second league goal of the season, Alexander-Arnold was a stand-out performer during the match and according to Carragher looks to have been ‘re-energised’ since stepping into his new advanced role. 

‘I’ve seen a player he almost looks re-energised,’ Carragher said to Sky Sports on Monday Night football. 

‘Sometimes players get questioned by supporters saying, “is he giving everything”. I think sometimes when results aren’t going well and everyone is a bit down it’s a mentality thing as well. You can almost have that body [language] of not looking like you’re absolutely giving everything.’ 

‘He looks right now as if he’s absolutely over-the-moon that he’s playing in midfield and he looks fast. He looks more energetic. 

‘He looks like it’s given him a new lease of life, that’s what it feels like to me. And he’s been a revelation, the stats can see that. But in terms of just watching his overall game yeah, he looks re-energised.’ 

The Sky Pundit recently claimed that the wing-back was ‘at a cross-roads in his career and must think carefully this summer about how to evolve,’ while telling Alexander-Arnold, who has been criticised for his defending, to consider whether he wanted to play full-back or in midfield.

Liverpool have now won their last seven Premier League matches, with the wing-back starting in all of those games and emerging to become Klopp’s mastermind in midfield.

He has been in blistering form, racking up six assists in the last eight games, gelling with his teammates and seems to be settling in nicely to his new position.

Gareth Southgate was watching on from the stands at the King Power tonight, and Gary Neville, also on punditry, suggested that the England manager will have a tough selection decision to make, considering Alexander-Arnold’s new found form in midfield. 

‘He can’t get in the England squad so something can’t be right there,’ Neville said. 

‘He’s got to push Reece James, Kyle Walker, Kieren Trippier, and all the others that are lining up to play at [full-back] out of that position because his ability is special. 

‘So how do England adapt and find a way for him over the next few years? Jurgen Klopp is finding a way for him. He’s adapting his team for Trent Alexander-Arnold and the fact that they were conceding goals. 

‘The three at the back, the two in the front, and that means Trent doesn’t get as exposed on that side maybe, and it’s working for them.’

The full-back has found it hard of late to break into Southgate’s England squad having amassed 18 caps and a goal for the senior side. 

He was a part of the Three Lions’ 2022 World Cup squad, but played just 33 minutes at the tournament, during England’s 3-0 win against Wales. 

And Carragher concurred with Neville, suggesting that the 24-year-old has a strong case to start in England’s midfield alongside Rice and Bellingham.

‘If I’m Gareth Southgate and you’re talking about challenging those right backs, I’m almost thinking that he’s challenging midfield players as well now.

‘Don’t forget that it was Southgate who put him in midfield in the first place. Jurgen Klopp criticised Gareth Southgate for it. So when we talk about England’s midfield options you actually say, you’ve got Declan Rice, Jude Bellingham, there’s not really that much behind that to so I think he’s pushing them.’

And Carragher had his say on where he thinks the 24-year-old should be starting for England. 

‘Forget a hybrid role,’ he added. ‘He could actually play midfield. I don’t think we ever talk about a full-back like we talk about him. No one else comes up in conversation more, than him. 

‘The reason is because We’ve never seen anyone like him. You’re looking at him thinking how can he be that good on the ball, free-kicks, crossing ability.’

‘He’s now in this hybrid role where he’s running games, creating chances from almost the half-way line. 

‘Not even like a number ten who’s slipping a turn in and is making a little pass. He’s making 40-50 yard passes to put people through. 

‘He gets caught out defensively at times, you can’t deny that, but he’s probably one of the most talked about full-backs of probably all time, certainly in the Premier League era.’

More to follow…