Liverpool boss Arne Slot gives verdict on star's position change ahead of Chelsea clash

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has given his verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance at left-back for England. The versatile defender was switched to the left flank for the Three Lions’ Nations League clash with Finland last weekend and was named man-of-the-match for the third time under Lee Carsley.

Alexander-Arnold, who is out of contract next summer, struggled for gametime in an England shirt under previous boss Gareth Southgate and only started two matches at Euro 2024.

But he has become a key player for his country during Carsley’s stint as interim England manager and scored a sublime free-kick in the second half against Finland.

Alexander-Arnold will return to his usual position at right-back when Liverpool welcome Chelsea to Anfield on Sunday.

And ahead of the clash, Slot explained: “I only saw the free-kick. Good players will always find a way into the team if they have good team-mates, which is what Trent has at England. If you play Finland and Greece, with respect, these quality players will play well. Although they lost to Greece.

“He’s been very good for us until now. He was and still is important when attacking and I liked the way he has defended too.

“He has made a step up in that perspective. But like all the others, [there is] room for improvement, that is clear. I think he has done well for us this season and the national team too. Three times from four [he has been] man-of-the-match. Let’s hope he will be it for us too.”

Carsley, who will be replaced in the England dugout by Thomas Tuchel at the start of next year, is clearly a huge fan of Alexander-Arnold’s talents.

And after watching the player star during the Three Lions’ 3-1 victory over Finland, the 50-year-old stated: “There’s no surprises in terms of the quality he’s got and the areas of the pitch we can get him in.

“Trent’s quality speaks for itself. I do not see it that I have to make a space for him, he has more than earned his space.

“We do get bogged down by left-back, right-back but so long as he is in effective positions it is great to have him.”

But Manchester United hero Roy Keane didn’t agree with Carsley’s sentiments around Alexander-Arnold as he told ITV: “I still can’t believe how bad he is defensively, and against better teams he will get found out. If you saw him the other night defending [against Greece], it looked like he’d never played right-back before either.”