Gareth Southgate reveals why he 'didn't think twice' about Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role

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Gareth Southgate reveals why he 'didn't think twice' about Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role

Gareth Southgate has discussed Trent Alexander-Arnold's new role with England, saying he 'didn't think twice' about playing the Liverpool man in midfield.

Alexander-Arnold was the star of the international break for the Three Lions in their emphatic wins over North Macedonia and Malta. From the heart of the England midfield, Alexander-Arnold bagged himself a goal and an assist across two games, earning an 8/10 and 9/10 in 90min's player ratings for his efforts too.

Speaking after Monday's 7-0 win against North Macedonia about the decision to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, Southgate told BBC Radio 5 Live: "The other night he just had to tag the pivot really and he did that well.

"Tonight he had to make a lot of decisions and he did it almost immaculately. He regained a lot of balls. His pressing was good, so for me, he has got everything to play in there.

"I didn't even think twice about starting him in there. It might give us something completely different. The vision and the passing range and the connection with Bukayo [Saka] for his second goal."

After the win over Malta on Friday evening, Alexander-Arnold also discussed playing midfield, saying that it was a potential 'avenue' to more caps.

"It is certainly an avenue," Alexander-Arnold said. "One that is clearly being explored and is something the manager wants to explore and I want to explore. It is one that is exciting for the future, and who knows?

"For me, I want to make sure I am playing as many England games as possible and that has always been the aim, causing headaches for the manager. I think this is a potential route we can go down that will help me get into the team."