The last place Trent Alexander-Arnold wanted to be during Euro 2020 was a beach on the Algarve but the view from Portugal proved unexpectedly enlightening. Admittedly, looking in from the outside hurt at times but the Liverpool right-back’s emotions were surprisingly mixed as he watched England progress to the final.
“I was gutted I was missing out but at the same time you’re watching your mates achieve special things for the country,” says the 22-year-old, who was named in the squad for the tournament only to withdraw after sustaining a thigh injury during the friendly against Austria. “It was tough, I’d put in a lot of hard work and I felt sorry for myself for a little bit but after a few days you get over it.
“I was getting back fit – and soaking up a bit of sun – in Portugal with the Liverpool physio and I was proud watching on, seeing the joy in people’s faces.
“At the last World Cup I was in that bubble so you don’t really know what it’s like but when you’re outside and get to see the support for the lads first-hand it’s incredible. To see the whole country get behind them, it was moving for me.”
Many players ruled out of major tournaments in similar circumstances cannot bear to watch and isolate themselves from the action, but Alexander-Arnold is far too nuanced a character to indulge in such compartmentalisation. One of the brightest stars in Jürgen Klopp’s Anfield firmament appreciates life’s shades of grey sufficiently to suggest he has not been up to standard in an England shirt.
Accordingly, he hopes to show Gareth Southgate what he is truly capable of by adding to his 13 caps in the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra on Sunday and Poland on Wednesday. “Since I’ve come into the squad, I haven’t really been the best version of myself. I haven’t put in the performances I’ve regularly produced for my club. I expect more from myself when I play for England. Hopefully, over the next week I’ll be given an opportunity and am able to take it.
“It’s about finding the level I demand on a daily basis. I’ve just not been able to reach that bar. I had a really good game a few years back in the Nations League third-place play-off against Switzerland but I just couldn’t hit the ground running after that. My England performances have been mediocre by my standards.”
If this perfectionist streak will be welcomed by Southgate – who as a player tended to remember the small mistakes he had got away with even in the best of performances – then solving the disconnect between club and international form represents quite a challenge.
Some believe Alexander-Arnold’s passing range, game-changing attacking ability and stellar crossing would be better accommodated in midfield. Others are convinced he is destined to become one of the world’s most influential full-backs.
It leaves Southgate with a dilemma, exacerbated by the presence of three other outstanding right-backs – Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Reece James – in the England ranks. “It’s probably one of the most overpopulated positions we’ve got,” says Alexander-Arnold.
“It’s always going to be difficult to find yourself playing regularly but I’ve had talks with the boss about things I’m doing well, things I can improve. We’ve touched on the defensive side of my game needing to be a bit more reliable and trustworthy and that’s something I need to work on.”
Deep down, does he know his best position though? “I’m a right-back,” says Alexander-Arnold firmly. “I’ve played that my whole career and haven’t really stepped out of it too much. In the big Premier League games I haven’t been thrown into midfield, so it’s tough to say if I’d be able to handle it.
“I try to get forward, influence the game and create chances. Whether I find myself out wide or inside on the ball it doesn’t matter: I want to hurt the opposition and break them down. Only two people’s opinions can change my position and they’re the managers I play for. They’re the decision-makers; only their opinions count.”
Southgate kept him on the bench as England cantered to a 4-0 win against Hungary in Budapest during a match scarred by racism on the part of home fans, with Raheem Sterling attracting particular abuse. “I didn’t really hear anything offensive or aggressive; if things did go on, it’s up to Fifa to deal with,” says Alexander-Arnold, before switching the conversation to Hungary’s failure to cope with Sterling.
“The way Raheem’s evolved from a boy to a man has been spectacular,” he says. “He’s a role model for everyone around the country. A role model for me, definitely. Raheem’s turned himself into a world-class player and a world-class person.”
No one should doubt Alexander-Arnold’s capacity for completing similarly transformative hard yards as he chases his ambition of captaining England.
“That’s something I feel I can achieve if I work hard enough,” he says. “I’ve never really put limitations on myself, I’ve always strived to be the best version of myself. I want to win trophies with England. I want to lead the team out. I believe it’s something I’m capable of. I believe those things are achievable.”