Alexander-Arnold Shines with Stunning Free-Kick

Trent Alexander-Arnold showcased his exceptional skills once again, curling a stunning free-kick into the top corner during England’s 3-1 UEFA Nations League victory over Finland. Although he played out of position as a left-back, the Liverpool star impressed with his trademark finish which came after teammate Jack Grealish scored the opener. Grealish joked before the kick that he would give Alexander-Arnold £500 if he scored and the full-back certainly delivered.

Alexander-Arnold’s superb 25-yard strike came after Grealish’s goal and Declan Rice’s close-range effort. Interim England boss Lee Carsley has been experimenting with the squad, having previously fielded a team without a striker in a loss to Greece. This latest switch in position for Alexander-Arnold followed former manager Gareth Southgate’s attempt to play him as a central midfielder at Euro 2024.

Despite his unfamiliar role, Trent Alexander-Arnold was pivotal in the match, leading in touches (130), passes (110) and maintaining a passing accuracy of 86.4%. He has now received the man of the match award in all three wins under Carsley. However, his defensive capabilities faced criticism, particularly from former Ireland captain Roy Keane, who highlighted Alexander-Arnold’s shaky performances and potential vulnerabilities against stronger teams.

Carsley’s approach against Finland emphasized a more balanced team structure compared to the previous match against Greece where the all-out attacking strategy exposed England’s defensive frailties. The introduction of midfielder Angel Gomes alongside Declan Rice provided necessary stability and allowed Gomes to shine, creating the assist for Grealish’s opener. Carsley aims to find a suitable replacement for Kalvin Phillips, who was vital at Euro 2020 but has struggled for form.