England legend Wayne Rooney has urged Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to play a back-four with Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back.
That’s what the former Manchester United striker said on talkSPORT today, when discussing the national team’s squad ahead of Qatar.
“In terms of England defensively, yeah, I think counteract that and go and attack,” he said.
“That’s why I think [and] firmly believe that Trent [Alexander-Arnold] should play.
“I know there’s been a big debate over Trent and should he play or not.
“I think what he gives you going forward counteracts what he does defensively, so I’d play Trent and go and attack games.
“There’s no point in sitting in if one of our weaknesses is us defensively.”
As a result, when picking his starting XI for the opening game against Iran, Rooney claimed:
“I’d go with [a back four of] Trent [Alexander-Arnold], John Stones, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.”
Rooney says Trent should start
Rooney is absolutely right that the 24-year-old Reds star should be starting for England at the World Cup.
Going forward, the Scouser can make something out of nothing. His incredible range of passing allows the attack to start way back in his own half. Thus, his pinpoint accuracy often tears defences apart.
As demonstrated for years now in the Premier League, Alexander-Arnold is one of the best, if not the best, attacking full-back in world football.
His sensational assist rate would be impressive for most midfielders – let alone a right-back. For this, Jurgen Klopp says he is absolutely ‘outstanding’.
Southgate, on the other hand, has reservations about the Liverpool man’s defensive capabilities.
Whilst it may be fair to say he sometimes finds himself out of position, the 24-year-old is a far more proficient defender than the England boss tends to believe.
He is strong in the tackle, and he often makes last-ditch challenges – keeping Klopp’s side in games.
Therefore, as Rooney says, England should go all-out offensively, with Alexander-Arnold at the helm of Southgate’s defence.
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