Trent Alexander-Arnold should steer clear of playing left-back at the Euros according to former England star Danny Rose, who insists his best position is in midfield.
The former Three Lions left-back made the admission during the latest episode of Reach's new Euro Thrash podcast - which you can find on YouTube, Apple and Spotify - while chatting to presenter Nubaid Haroon and former Manchester United star Wes Brown about the upcoming tournament in Germany.
Doncaster-born Rose enjoyed 29 caps for England after making his debut under Roy Hodgson back in March 2016, going on to represent his nation at Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup. A budding defender in his day, the now 33-year-old played for Leeds, Spurs and Watford before hanging his boots up at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
With he and Wes both owning a wealth of international experience, it wasn't long before they were chatting about Gareth Southgate's decisions ahead of the tournament, which have left questions pertaining to depth in defence. Haroon asked: "We spoke on episode one about the decisiveness and how difficult it is, especially within the squad - no Harry, obviously Harry Maguire injured, no [Kieran] Trippier potentially at left-back, Trent as a midfielder. Do you think those key decisions are probably ones that he's nailed?"
To which, Rose said: "Well I think the left-back one sort of speaks for itself - those were the options he was left with. Obviously, Kieran has played left-back for him in the past so he is Mr Reliable. With Trent - when I was part of the set-up - it's probably a little bit evident that Gareth, I don't want to say didn't trust him with being at right-back, but with Kyle [Walker] being in such great form over the years, it's obviously difficult for any right-back to get in, let alone Trent.
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"Ideally if Trent was going to get into this England team, I think his best shot would be in midfield." When asked if Trent would slot in at left-back, Rose added: "No. He is an amazing, outstanding football player. But sometimes he does get caught out and the last thing you need is a right-footer going over to left-side and it disorientates a lot of things, so for me, I wouldn't do it."
Danny Rose says Trent's best position is in midfield (Getty Images)Alexander-Arnold has been a stalwart at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp since rising through the youth ranks in 2016. He's made 226 appearances in the Premier League for the side over the course of the last eight years, and while he started off as a solid wing-back, he has since transitioned into the centre of the park.
He would make his England debut under Southgate in 2018 at the age of 19 during a 2-0 friendly against Costa Rica which the Three Lions would win 2-0, and has went on to achieve 25 caps for his country. He was also a pivotal part of Southgate's Euro 2020 successes, in which England would make the final before being bettered by Italy in a cruel penalty shootout.
He is among Jude Bellingham, Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo, Declan Rice and Adam Wharton in the midfield of Southgate's final Euro 2024 squad, but with a thinning defence, he could be called upon as emergency cover. Luke Shaw, Trippier and Walker are all expected to be priority picks for the full-back positions this summer, but Alexander-Arnold could be expected to fill the gaps if injury or fatigue strikes
Watch and listen to Euro Thrash on , Apple Podcasts and Spotify with regular new episodes throughout Euro 2024
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