England interim manager Lee Carsley has confirmed that he considers Trent Alexander-Arnold a right-back after naming his first since taking temporary charge of the Three Lions.

Alexander-Arnold was tellingly listed as a defender when the list of 26 players for upcoming UEFA Nations League games against Republic of Ireland and Finland was published on Thursday.

That was a significant change from Euro 2024 when Gareth Southgate picked the Liverpool star as a midfielder. Alexander-Arnold started England’s first two games in midfield but was twice withdrawn early, before the plan was abandoned completely and he played just 11 minutes more.

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was never fully on board with Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder, while he has started each of Liverpool’s two games in 2024/25 as a right-back under Arne Slot.

“For me, and this camp especially, he will be a right-back, playing in defence,” Carsley explained.

“Trent, especially modern-day full-backs, have all-round attributes that almost turn them into midfielders, very comfortable receiving the ball, great range of passing, as has Rico [Lewis] and [Kyle Walker-Peters] who I watched at Southampton the other day.

“At some point we will see him come into midfield but I see him as a right-back.”

Carsley has had an extensive career within the FA coaching England’s junior age groups, starting as an assistant with the Under-19 squad, but later taking on more all-encompassing roles and serving as Under-21 manager since 2021.

His first squad as senior boss reflected that background and knowledge of players who have progressed through the junior ranks, with surprise call-ups for former Manchester United talent Angel Gomes, now with Lille, as well as Tino Livramento, Morgan Gibbs-White and a return for Rico Lewis. Chelsea winger Noni Madueke has also been called up for the first time.

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