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Despite Jurgen Klopp’s contrasting view, former England international Gary Lineker wants to see Trent Alexander-Arnold play in midfield again. Gareth Southgate started the 23-year-old on the right side of a midfield three against Andorra in September’s 4-0 World Cup qualifier win at Wembley Stadium.
But Klopp shared his confusion with the decision afterwards, questioning why Southgate wouldn’t just play Alexander-Arnold in his natural position.
The German boss suggested it made it seem like the right-back position isn’t as important as others.
He told reporters: “Why would you make the best right-back in the world a midfielder? I don’t understand that [Alexander-Arnold in midfield] really.
“[It’s] as if the right-back position is not as important as the others. People who say that, I struggle to understand how you could think that.”
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Lineker recently argued against Klopp’s confusion, backing up his opinion that Southgate should play Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
He told the BBC Sounds’ Match of the Day Top 10 podcast that he simply wants to watch the right-back play for England.
Lineker believes Alexander-Arnold played well in the midfield three against Andorra, particularly praising his passing range.
“Klopp recently said, ‘why would you play the best right-back in world football in midfield’? Lineker explained.
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“I’ve been arguing that I would play him [Alexander-Arnold] in midfield because I wanted to see him in the England team. His passing range is extraordinary.
“I think Andrea Pirlo said that the one thing missing from England is a player like Pirlo, and I think he could be that. But I might be wrong.
“It was interesting to see Gareth [Southgate] try it for one game, and he was good.
“He needs more time in that position, but it’s difficult if the club manager is never going to play him there.”
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Alexander-Arnold plays a pivotal role in Klopp’s full-back-focused system at Liverpool, so his comments come as no surprise.
But Lineker’s view may stem from how well Alexander-Arnold performed alongside Jordan Henderson and Jude Bellingham.
And Alexander-Arnold may accept a position in midfield if it means he’ll get a spot in Southgate’s 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar.
With competition at right-back still fierce in the Three Lions’ ranks, Southgate could be planning to use him in the middle of the park more regularly going forward.
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