Gareth Southgate ignores Wayne Rooney advice as he decides on England's Euro 2024 XI

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will start England’s Euro opener against Serbia.

The Three Lions boss is set to ignore a warning from Wayne Rooney that Alexander-Arnold’s defensive flaws will make him a liability against the best teams in the tournament if Southgate opts to deploy the Liverpool star in midfield.‌

Southgate said: “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. 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 likely to start next to midfield anchor Declan Rice after being used as an inverted full-back by Jurgen Klopp last season.

The 25-year-old passing accuracy and excellence in dead-ball situations appears to have convinced Southgate that his inclusion is a risk worth taking.

Gareth Southgate gives instructions to Trent Alexander-Arnold

That means Phil Foden will start wide on the left despite impressing for Manchester City in a more central role, with Jude Bellingham operating behind skipper Harry Kane.‌

Captain Kane can’t wait for Alexander-Arnold to demonstrate his eye for a pass. Kane said: “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.”

Southgate believes he has got the balance right and that both Bellingham and Foden will have a stage to shine. He added: “It’s less about where they start or where they defend.

"It’s about where they end up with the ball, about them having the freedom to go where they want with the ball - in the areas where they can do the most damage and be at their most productive.

Jude Bellingham of England celebrates with Phil Foden after scoring his side's second goal during the 150th Anniversary Heritage Match between Scotland and England at Hampden Park on September 12, 2023

“I think if you speak with any individual player that’s always been the messaging from us to the team. They’ve always had the freedom to be where they like to operate.‌

“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.

“We’ve got some exciting players but we can’t get them all on the pitch, so we are trying to find the best balance.”

PROBABLE ENGLAND TEAM (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Walker, Stones, Guehi, Trippier, Alexander-Arnold, Rice; Saka, Bellingham, Foden; Kane.

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