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Roy Keane and Ian Wright agree on 'beautiful' Trent Alexander-Arnold performance for England

Roy Keane and Ian Wright
-Credit: (Image: ITV)


Roy Keane and Ian Wright were in total agreement after seeing another superb display from Trent Alexander-Arnold for England.

Fresh from his player of the match performance against the Republic of Ireland on Saturday, the Liverpool vice-captain impressed once again as he was handed another start at right-back against Finland.

Alexander-Arnold was again a major threat on the ball for the Three Lions as he came close to finding Harry Kane on a few occasions with some of his trademark passing.

His first-half performance earned plaudits from former Manchester United captain Keane and ex-Arsenal striker Wright, who were left in awe by the Liverpool star as they sent a warning to Finland.

Watching a highlights reel of Alexander-Arnold’s display, Wright told ITV Sport: “Seeing him play that high, getting the ball in the last third of Finland’s area and making some passes. Once he gets into this space, they’ve got to get tighter to him, because that’s what he’s capable of doing. This pass is beautiful.”

Keane added: “Brilliant. They’ve got to get to Trent, if he’s popping up in that position, we see him do it all the time, we saw him doing it at the weekend, we see him doing it for Liverpool.

Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for England against Finland
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for England against Finland -Credit:Getty Images

“You keep giving Trent that time and space on the ball, eventually he’s going to get through.”

Alexander-Arnold continued to impress in the second half, and played a big hand in England eventually taking the lead. The Reds star assisted Harry Kane with a superb first-time pass, bisecting the Finland defense to find his captain who supplied an emphatic finish on the night of his 100th cap.

And the Liverpool man played another starring role in England's second, setting Noni Madueke away with a superb pass, with the Chelsea forward able to find Kane to double his tally for the evening.

Liverpool will hope Alexander-Arnold comes through his latest outing for his country unscathed as they return to Premier League action this weekend. The 25-year-old will almost certainly take up his usual position on the right of the Reds’ defense against Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool.com says: This is what happens when you put a player in his proper position. England are now starting to see what they’ve been missing without Alexander-Arnold at right-back over the last few years.

There just aren’t many, if any, players who have the same ability on the ball as the Liverpool vice-captain. It’s good to see the conversation moving away from criticizing his defensive skills as well, and moving towards his strengths.