Euro 2024: Trent Alexander-Arnold backed by Gareth Southgate to start in midfield against Serbia in England's opener

Gareth Southgate has few selection headaches ahead of England's first game of Euro 2024 against Serbia. But in central midfield, there have been doubts over whether natural right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is the player to start alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham. The England boss has put his faith in the Liverpool man, even if his omission of Jack Grealish left Kyle Walker "shocked".

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Gareth Southgate believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to line up in central midfield ahead of England’s opening match of Euro 2024 on Sunday.

The Three Lions face Group C opponents Serbia at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen and while Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are seemingly nailed-on starters, the third spot in midfield has been the subject of much debate.

Kobbie Mainoo, Conor Gallagher and Adam Wharton are all natural central midfielders for their clubs, but Southgate has backed the Liverpool right-back to fill the gap.

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Asked by ITV Sport if Alexander-Arnold is ready to start in that position, the England manager was unequivocal.

“We believe so,” Southgate replied. “We think he can offer something we don't have and give the team a different dimension. He's really been diligent in understanding the role.

“He has as good a passing range as anybody in world football. He's been really invested in learning, understanding all aspects of the game in that role.

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“I've enjoyed working with him on that project for the last 12 months. His mentality and attitude towards it have been absolutely first-class.”

While the 25-year-old is well-accustomed to coming infield for his club as part of his inverted full-back role, former boss Jurgen Klopp did not start him centrally for any fixture last season.

Alexander-Arnold registered three goals and 10 assists in all competitions for The Reds in 2023-24.

And the Englishman impressed with his third goal for his country against Bosnia and Herzegovina, despite being unable to turn around a 1-0 defeat to Iceland in his latest outing

Walker shocked by Grealish omission

England’s expected starter at right-back, Kyle Walker, admitted he was “shocked” by the omission of club-mate Jack Grealish from Southgate’s 26-man squad.

The forward struggled for game time as Manchester City won a record fourth consecutive Premier League, playing the fewest minutes in a league season since he was a teenager.

But with options like Anthony Gordon, Eberechi Eze and Phil Foden, team-mate Walker could understand why Grealish was cut from England’s provisional squad.

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Asked by ITV Sport if he was shocked by Grealish’s omission, Walker replied: “Shocked because I know what Jack can do.

“Was I shocked because of the players he's [Southgate] brought in? No because I think they're all at a great quality and they've all had fantastic seasons."

Newcastle’s Gordon tallied 21 goal contributions in the 22023/24 Premier League campaign, with Eze chalking up 15, nine more than Grealish managed.

“I think Jack would be the first one to say he could have had a better season,” admitted Walker. “I think he's come out publicly and said he could've had a better season.

“So what does the manager base it on? Form or people that he knows and that have had good tournaments or a good season, the season before?

“You're here on merit and I believe always it should be like that. You're in this team because you've played well for your club which then puts you into the England fold.”

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