Declan Rice nails ludicrous Trent Alexander-Arnold debate as truth about Liverpool star clear

Not since 1966 has England returned home from a major international tournament with a trophy. Amid all the hype and inflated expectations, that inevitably means there is always a scapegoat.

Amid the incessant chatter about Trent Alexander-Arnold — admittedly not the only person involved with the Three Lions to be criticized after that dismal draw with Denmark last week — England star Declan Rice, who has been playing as his midfield partner in the group stage so far, has hit the nail on the head.

"It’s funny because people were calling for Trent to play in midfield," he told ITV. "Half the country are calling for Trent to play in midfield. You play him in midfield and then you want to bring him down. I don’t get it. I don’t get it at all.

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"I’ll defend all of my boys until the day I never put on an England shirt. Trent is one of the best players I’ve ever seen. Don’t call for someone to play in a position and then backtrack, all because you think he’s had a bad game or something.

"I’ll tell you now, Trent can play in midfield. I’ve seen it at England; I’ve seen it for Liverpool. He’s unbelievable. That’s what I say to people that you see saying that type of stuff."

Those who say that Alexander-Arnold cannot defend are not only wrong in their assertions, but also failing to spot the right solution. In midfield, it is not as if there is no defending to be done.

In fact, what has been seen so far is that Alexander-Arnold's biggest strength, his passing, has been stifled with a lack of space around him and limited movement in front. That, though, is hardly his fault, and if Alexander-Arnold is going to shoulder any blame for England's latest failure, he must do so from the position that actually gets the most out of him.

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As Rice says, many of the same people who wanted Alexander-Arnold to make the move are now critical of him being there. The chances are, those same people would not be happy were it Adam Wharton or Kobbie Mainoo in there instead, and even Gareth Southgate went out of his way to admit, rather strangely, that England does not have a 'natural' replacement for Kalvin Phillps.

As ever, though, as well as there needing to be someone to blame for England's inevitable demise, there is also an undercurrent of borderline arrogance. Alexander-Arnold was never going to become the world's best midfielder overnight, as if this was an option that Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool had simply slept on and refused to entertain.

It was always going to take time for him to adjust to playing the new role, and for those around him to get used to him being there. The time for experimenting is not during a major tournament — not least because the trial and error will bring unnecessary scrutiny. What has happened so far in Germany is not fair on anyone.

The reality has always been clear with Alexander-Arnold: he is one of the most gifted players that England has ever produced. As the national team tries to find the best way of getting the most out of him, though, it cannot be allowed that he becomes the scapegoat.

As Rice says, those who wanted him in midfield have got their wish. If it doesn't work for England, it won't be Alexander-Arnold adjusting to a completely new position that sends the Three Lions packing.