Trent Alexander-Arnold's England role becomes clear after Wayne Rooney ignored

Gareth Southgate is set to get Euro 2024 started with Trent Alexander-Arnold in the heart of the action. Wayne Rooney has offered a word of caution about having the Reds' star in midfield because of his defensive frailties, but the England boss seems undeterred.

Southgate defended his decision saying: "Everybody's more than entitled to opinion. That's our world and we have to accept it - but then we have to go and show what we can do.

"I'm really happy. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It's something he's been really keen to do. He's been really receptive to feedback and every bit of information."

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Furthermore, Southgate added: "We know he can be a really special player. Equally we know it's not something he's been doing for the last five years. There is an element of the unknown to it. But I think it's an opportunity that's worth grasping because he could be something incredibly special."

Alexander-Arnold is poised to partner Declan Rice in midfield. With Jurgen Klopp's usage of him as an inverted full-back last season and Alexander-Arnold's impressive passing accuracy and dead-ball mastery, Southgate seems convinced it's a gamble worth taking.

Wayne Rooney though disagrees. The former England captain warned against playing the Liverpool vice-captain in midfield when speaking on The Overlap.

"Defensively, he's all over the place. He can't defend," Rooney said. "I wouldn't have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch. I'd have no problem with playing him here (at right-back). I think in here (midfield), I wouldn't have him anywhere near there."

Harry Kane though is excited about the prospect of playing alongside Alexander-Arnold, praising his ability to deliver a killer pass. Kane enthused: "Trent has shown his abilities over many seasons now. That's from right-back or dropping into that midfield role.

"He's got amazing delivery from wide areas, amazing vision with his passes - and I think as a striker you can only love that if you are making runs there is someone there looking for you.

""You might not always get the ball but it's always important that the midfielders and the strikers have that connection, where you are willing to make the runs because they have the ability to put the ball in behind."

Liverpool.com says: England's scapegoat is already set in stone then. The likes of Rooney and Roy Keane are falling over themselves to tell us why one of the country's most gifted players shouldn't be playing in a position pundits have been telling us for years is perfect for him. Go figure.

Southgate is absolutely right to play Alexander-Arnold, whatever Manchester United's old guard say. He has been England's best performer the last few times he has turned out for the Three Lions, and a talent like that cannot be sitting on the bench.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Mirror by clicking here.