Fans slam ‘game’s gone’ at Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England shirt number
There’s no doubt that Trent Alexander-Arnold is one England’s most talented players.
Since breaking through into the Liverpool starting XI back in the 2017/18 season, the full-back has gone on to become one of the best passers in the Premier League, with Kevin De Bruyne probably the only player better than him.
So good is the 24-year-old on the ball, he was even moved into midfield in game by Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool’s Premier League run-in this season, a role that saw the defender thrive.
With England facing off against Malta in Euro 2024 qualifying on Friday night, Gareth Southgate decided to continue the experiment. But instead of moving him from right back to central midfield in game, he opted to start Alexander-Arnold in the middle from the off.
READ MORE: Gareth Southgate warns Jack Grealish there’s a line after boozy Treble celebrations
However, some purist football fans weren’t having the move. Not because they didn’t think Alexander-Arnold was up to the job – but rather because of his shirt number.
The Liverpool full-back was given the number 10 shirt for the clash against Malta, far flung from the usual number for a right-back.
Do you think England should make Trent Alexander-Arnold a regular fixture in midfield? Let us know in the comments section below
![Alexander Arnold warming up with Harry Maguire ahead of the Malta clash](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article30255061.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Malta-v-England-Group-C-UEFA-EURO-2024-Qualifying-Round.jpg)
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
![The defender turned midfielder wore the number 10 against Malta](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article30255057.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/1_Malta-v-England-Group-C-UEFA-EURO-2024-Qualifying-Round.jpg)
(Image: The FA via Getty Images)
And while Alexander-Arnold usually wears an unorthodox number for Liverpool, donning the number 66, football fans were left fuming at him being handed the number 10 shirt.
One fan commented: “The game’s gone!” A second added: “Why is a right back the number 10?”
![Trent Alexander-Arnold usually wears the number 66 for Liverpool](https://i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk/incoming/article30255059.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/0_Liverpool-FC-v-Aston-Villa-Premier-League.jpg)
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
A third said: “Number 10? Absolute shambles.” A fourth wrote: “Number 10 for a RB? what has football come to.”
However, despite their protestations, Alexander-Arnold shone for England at the heart of their three-man midfield, even managing to bag a screamer of a goal on 28 minutes to silence any doubters.