England got their Euro 2024 campaign underway with a hard-fought win over Serbia, with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold playing a key role.
Much of the build-up to the nation’s opening encounter focused on where the Anfield man would be playing.
Having operated at right-back for his club over the years, the 25-year-old has been largely used in midfield for his country.
And it was indeed the latter role in which he started and played for 69 minutes as England battled to a 1-0 win.
Alexander-Arnold got the nod alongside Declan Rice, joined slightly further by Jude Bellingham, who scored the only goal of the match.
Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice react to Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Real Madrid star powered home a superb header from Bukayo Saka’s cross to give the Three Lions the ideal start in Group C.
It remains to be seen exactly what Southgate has in store for his midfield next time out against Denmark, but it is clear they have a strong connection.
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Bellingham and Rice were certainly impressed by their new midfield man, with both reacting to Alexander-Arnold’s latest social media post.
He shared images of the clash in Germany on Instagram with the caption ‘Arrived,’ with Rice sending a heart eyes emoji and Bellingham writing the number eight.
Liverpool star lauded by England icons
The Liverpool star will undoubtedly continue to divide opinion in the aftermath of the win and indeed before the next group game.
Rice and Bellingham were obvious starters, with Southgate needing to find the right player to operate alongside them.
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Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher was an option from the start against Serbia, as were youngsters Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton.
But the manager entrusted Alexander-Arnold from the first whistle, handing him just under minutes before he was replaced by Gallagher.
It isn’t just Bellingham and Rice that the Liverpool right-back has been impressing, with England captain Harry Kane loving his ‘amazing delivery’ and ‘amazing vision’.
Former Three Lions defender Stuart Pearce meanwhile has been praising the Anfield academy graduate, comparing him to his old teammate Glenn Hoddle.