A steady display before limping off – Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England return
The Liverpool defender suffered a hamstring injury.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England return ended in anguish as the Liverpool right-back limped off late on against Austria.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at how the 22-year-old fared in the 1-0 friendly win in Middlesbrough.
Defending
Having been omitted from March’s World Cup triple-header, there was talk that Alexander-Arnold would not make the cut for Euro 2020. But not only did boss Gareth Southgate select him in his 33-man provisional squad but included him as one of four right-backs in the final selection. Austria posed few problems for the marauding full-back in the first half and he did not do much wrong when the visitors livened up after the interval, other than being caught out from a late diagonal ball.
Attacking threat
Alexander-Arnold started on the front foot, sending in a dangerous early cross for Harry Kane and seeing an effort deflected just over in the opening minutes. A threat from corners and set-pieces, he got over whipped crosses whenever the opportunity presented itself but was less of an attacking outlet in the second period.
Overall
Alexander-Arnold put in an assured if unspectacular display at the Riverside Stadium, where he limped off shortly before the end after picking up a hamstring injury. He shook his head in disappointment and now his much-discussed Euro spot looks in jeopardy.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.