Alexander-Arnold wants ‘big part’ at Euro 2024

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Trent Alexander-Arnold hopes to be a “big part” of England’s Euro 2024 plans in midfield as he prepares for Friday’s qualifying home game with Malta.

The Liverpool right-back, 25, is now listed as a midfielder for England and expected to play there at Wembley.

Alexander-Arnold’s only previous major tournament games were in final group matches at the 2018 and 2022 World Cup.

“When I’m here, when I’m not here, I’m constantly thinking about trying to get into the team for the summer,” he said.

England have already booked their place in Germany next summer.

Alexander-Arnold, despite a host of club success, has only won 21 caps for England because of Gareth Southgate’s glut of right-back options. But he impressed in midfield in their other qualifier against Malta.

“Since we spoke in the summer, me and the manager, about a midfield opportunity and to see if we could make it work, there has been a newfound excitement for me,” added Alexander-Arnold.

“It is a huge opportunity and it is one I am grateful to have, but also making sure I take it.

“It’s still early days, I haven’t had much experience in there so still learning on the job and about picking it up as much as I can when I am in there.”

Asked if going to Germany as a midfielder was a target, he said: “Massively so, it is something I think about often, it is something that motivates me.”

England need to finish top of the group to be top seeds at Euro 2024, something that makes this game not a complete dead rubber. One point against either Malta or North Macedonia would secure that.

“Firstly we need to win games to make sure we’re top seeds,” said Southgate.

“England always have to win and the message is about our standards on the training pitch – being a top team stems from having good habits every day – never a day off if you’re a top player.”

He is not too concerned, either, about problems at left-back, with Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell both injured.

“We have centre-backs who can slide across,” he added. “You’d like to have natural full-backs. The reality is that even if you look at the league, [Newcastle’s] Dan Burn is a centre-back playing at full-back, [Arsenal’s] Ben White is playing at full-back.

“Germany had [Benedikt] Howedes there when they won the World Cup.

“There are a vast number of English qualified left-backs who are injured in the league. There are different ways to solve those problems.”

England will pay tribute to Sir Bobby Charlton at Wembley in their first match since the 1966 World Cup winner’s death last month.

There will be a crowd mosaic and video celebrating the Manchester United legend’s life, while players will wear black armbands.