Gareth Southgate drops big hint on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Euro 2024 role – Liverpool FC

Gareth Southgate has praised Trent Alexander-Arnold and the stalwart Adam Wharton as he continues to ponder the balance of England’s midfield at Euro 2024.

The fine-tuning ahead of the June 16 opener against Serbia continued in Monday’s 3-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina as Southgate experimented with personnel and positions.

Midfield is one of the key areas to consider with Jordan Henderson, Kalvin Phillips and Mason Mount currently out of the England squad where they have been a major part of recent tournaments.

Conor Gallagher impressed in midfield alongside Alexander-Arnold, who claimed man of the match with a stunning volley after returning to a more familiar right-back role.

“We were very pleased,” Southgate said after seeing the Liverpool man back in midfield.

“It’s a role he’s discovering and he’s hungry to learn and has been since I spoke to him about playing it a year or so ago and also what we’ve seen in the last half hour is also an important option for us as well .

“We’re going to have different challenges in this tournament and we’re going to have to have different ways of solving the problems that teams throw at us.”

Southgate is keen to see Alexander-Arnold enjoying himself in an England shirt, but the 25-year-old’s ability to play a midfield role against elite opposition is unclear, with a knee injury denying the England manager the chance to test him there against Brazil and Belgium in March.

“It’s an unknown,” said Southgate, who must name his final 26-man squad for the Euros immediately after Friday’s friendly against Iceland.

“Obviously with Gallagher, with Mainoo, even with Wharton, you know exactly what they can do and what they can’t do. None of these players can do everything so you’re trying to get the balance right.

“Obviously Declan (Rice) will be there, so what’s the balance with him? It might be different for different games.

“I think at certain times we will play against a back five and we have some good options, both what we start with and what we can adapt to during matches.”

Midfield composition has long proved a conundrum for England, although the sudden emergence of Mainoo (19) and Wharton (20) points to an exciting future.

Mainoo – who was handed a break after starring in Manchester United’s FA Cup final win – linked up with the England camp on Tuesday after seeing Wharton impress on his debut from the bench the night before.

The 20-year-old put in an assured performance, continuing the impressive rise that saw him join Crystal Palace from Blackburn in early February.

“I suppose a lot of it comes down to where we think we’re going to need positional cover, but I’m really impressed with how he’s been,” Southgate said.

“He’s a very calm lad, he seems to have taken everything in his power when you think about what last year has been, but when you talk to him he’s quite as unflappable as he was on the pitch.

“That ability to receive and see the picture early is not something you should underestimate.”

Southgate’s decision to bring Wharton two-thirds into Monday’s match was premeditated, as was the introduction of Harry Kane.

The England captain scored on his return after replacing Ollie Watkins, who was given the lead ahead of Ivan Toney.

The Brentford forward will be involved against Iceland but Southgate says Kane’s acceleration outweighs the battle to be his back-up.

“(Toney) will be involved on Friday but I have to correct Harry Kane,” he added.

“Sometimes prioritizing what’s needed and what you’d also like to see, you can’t achieve all of those goals. Simple as that.”