Trent Alexander-Arnold's Masterful Performance Awaits as England Take on North Macedonia in Euro 2024 Qualifying

Trent Alexander-Arnold received praise for his remarkable goal and impressive performance in midfield during England's 4-0 victory against Malta on Friday night. The 24-year-old, who has been a less prominent player in Gareth Southgate's national team, now aspires to solidify a starting position with this new role. "I aim to become a consistent presence on the team and playing in this position brings me joy," he stated.

Now the question arises as to whether Southgate envisions Alexander-Arnold as the future of his midfield or merely as an additional choice for the position.

Southgate emphasizes that the future outcome heavily relies on whether he continues to involve himself with Liverpool. However, the upcoming match against North Macedonia on Monday will provide further insight.

If Alexander-Arnold persists in playing at Old Trafford, against a significantly stronger opponent compared to Malta, it will confirm Southgate's genuine commitment to this "project," as he described it on Friday evening.

If Southgate decides to go back to using a midfielder in their natural position, there are options like Kalvin Phillips and Conor Gallagher who could fill that role. However, it may be tempting to come to a different conclusion. Southgate made sure to acknowledge the danger that the North Macedonians present on Sunday, emphasizing that it's not simply a matter of continuing from Friday's match. The intensity and quality of the game will be higher, and England will need to be at their best to secure a victory.

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Under the leadership of head coach Blagoja Milevski, North Macedonia has demonstrated their pedigree in recent matches. Additionally, England has had mixed results in their previous two home games against North Macedonia, drawing 2-2 in 2002 and playing out a goalless draw in another European Qualifier in 2006.

Southgate believed that their Group C match against Ukraine on Friday was one they "should have won." Despite initially holding a two-goal lead, they ended up losing 3-2. It is worth mentioning that in the past year, they achieved a remarkable victory over European champions Italy in a World Cup play-off tie in Palermo.

Expanding on the team's strengths, Southgate emphasized their "individual quality" on Sunday. It is important to acknowledge, especially from Alexander-Arnold's viewpoint, that a significant portion of this quality lies within the central midfield position.

Eljif Elmas, a Serie A title-winner with Napoli, and Enis Bardhi from Trabzonspor, were the scorers for North Macedonia in their match against Ukraine on Friday. Along with their teammates, they present a formidable attacking threat that surpasses that of Group C underdogs, Malta.

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With Alexander-Arnold being assigned a midfield position by Southgate in the match against Malta, it is expected that England's midfield will face a defensive challenge unlike what they experienced in the previous game. Southgate mentioned that Malta tends to be more aggressive in their approach, which is something the manager will definitely take into consideration when it comes to utilizing Alexander-Arnold.

The England manager is fully aware of the exceptional vision and creativity that Alexander-Arnold possesses in the position, as he mentioned on Sunday. However, it is his defensive weaknesses that have led to others being chosen over him at right-back. Consequently, Southgate is confronted with a decision: to test Alexander-Arnold's abilities on the defensive side against a stronger opponent or to opt for a safer choice, reverting to a more naturally inclined player in the position, as England strive to maintain their perfect winning record of four victories.

His decision might hint at his true intentions for Alexander-Arnold.

Southgate: Selection calls difficult

Alexander-Arnold is not the only player giving Southgate a selection dilemma ahead of Friday's game.

Southgate acknowledged that selecting the team is a challenging task due to the abundance of talent and the impressive performances showcased by the players during training.

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Bukayo Saka is fit to play against North Macedonia after an injury scare

"As always, we're looking at the opposition, the best way to try and win the game and the attributes we need.

We have to make a tough decision, but we are confident about the direction we need to take.

When questioned about the possibility of any Manchester City players making a comeback in the starting line-up against North Macedonia, Southgate responded positively, stating, "It could happen."

We have a group of incredibly skilled and significant players who play a crucial role in our team. As a result, it becomes challenging to select the final lineup, without a doubt.

We have also carefully analyzed the opposing team to ensure that we achieve the right balance in our approach. This upcoming match holds great importance for us, and we are determined to deliver a commendable performance.

Southgate: Onus is on us to entertain

Despite being booed by supporters after a crushing 4-0 defeat to Hungary in the Nations League at Molineux last year, Southgate and his players are determined to win back the favor of the fans. As they gear up to face their upcoming match at Old Trafford, the England boss understands that it is their responsibility to give the supporters a reason to cheer once again.

"It is our responsibility to captivate the audience," he stated. "We must provide them with exhilarating performances and ensure that they are thoroughly entertained.

"The crowd here is already fantastic. I vividly remember the electrifying atmosphere in Leeds a few years back, and I am confident that Manchester will be just as remarkable."

The sold-out status of the game brings excitement for us, including the players, and creates a heightened atmosphere. However, it is important to acknowledge that our opponent will also be motivated by this and will strive to deliver a commendable performance. Hence, we must ensure that we are fully prepared to face them.

Moreover, our main objective is not only to perform well but also to provide an entertaining experience for our supporters. Ultimately, our ultimate goal is to secure a victory in the game.

Shaw: I'd fill in at centre-back if asked

During the press conference, Southgate was accompanied by Luke Shaw, the left-back for Manchester United, who praised his relationship with the England manager. Shaw expressed his willingness to play as a centre-back, a position he has successfully filled in for his club this season, if required.

"I believe that my performances thus far demonstrate my worthiness to be part of the team," Shaw stated.

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"I've mentioned this before. Although my primary position is left-back, I'm always willing to step in as a centre-back if needed for the team," expressed Luke Shaw in anticipation of England's match against North Macedonia.

Playing centre-back for Manchester United allowed me to gain valuable experience and knowledge in a new position. It was a great opportunity for me to learn and adapt to different aspects of the game, which I thoroughly enjoyed.

While my natural position is as a left-back, I am always open and content to play in any position that the team requires.

Having established himself as a crucial player for Southgate, Shaw is on the verge of earning his 31st international appearance for England when they face North Macedonia. The unwavering support and belief from his manager have proven to be invaluable, particularly given the absence of his teammate Ben Chilwell due to injury.

Shaw, who signed a new long-term contract at Manchester United in April, also commended Erik ten Hag for his positive impact on his development as a player since joining Old Trafford last summer.

I have been residing there for an extended period of time. This season, the manager has undoubtedly played a significant role in my progress. He has elevated my performance to a new standard by constantly pushing me.

This is precisely what I require and desire. My aim is to continue developing and enhancing my skills, as I firmly believe there is room for improvement. I am motivated to push myself even further, aiming for an even higher level of achievement.

"With the people around me and the coaches I have, I feel like I can do that."