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Trent Alexander-Arnold: Penalty proves no negative energy over losing my England place
Wing-back says being dropped after being played in midfield was all part of ‘the journey’ to scoring spot kick to seal semi-final berth
It has been a roller coaster of a European Championship for Trent Alexander-Arnold – from the failed “experiment” (Gareth Southgate’s word) of playing in central midfield to confidently scoring the decisive penalty in the quarter-final shoot-out victory over Switzerland.
While it was a serious disappointment to lose his starting place inside just two games – and being substituted after 54 minutes against Denmark in the second of those – Alexander-Arnold says it is all part of the “journey” to the ultimate goal: “No matter what role you play, you earn your medal. You see that togetherness in the group”.
The 25-year-old Liverpool defender added: “There’s no negative vibes or energy around any of the decisions. You’ve got to be ready for the moment when it comes and the other day I epitomised that more than anything.”
He certainly did. Alexander-Arnold replaced captain Harry Kane with five minutes left of extra time against the Swiss. Was he brought on for penalties?
“No,” Alexander-Arnold says. “My role coming on was ‘don’t let it get to pens. Try and win the game’.”
Nevertheless, it did go to a shoot-out with Alexander-Arnold’s the fifth of England’s five faultless efforts. “Pressure makes diamonds,” he later posted on social media.
Adidas, the manufacturer of the ball, revealed his penalty was the second hardest strike of the Euros, at 78mph – and the hardest “dead ball” shot.
“I was more excited than nervous. I enjoy those moments. I’m a player who enjoys being in big games, big moments and winning games,” Alexander-Arnold said, and it is an attitude born out of experience for the Champions League and Premier League winner. “Yeah, I think the journey I’ve been on throughout football so far has taken me to ups and downs,” he explained.
“It’s in those times what you realise what you can put yourself through mentally and overcome. So whatever the game throws at me, I feel I’m in a position to deal with it and be able to perform. For me there is no pressure. The mentality is to help the team win the game so when the manager tells me that ‘you’re coming on with five or six minutes to go’ then I know my role, know what I need to do and my mindset is in the right place no matter what.”
When the squad was announced Alexander-Arnold took the No 8 shirt in a clear indication Southgate saw him as a solution to play alongside Declan Rice in midfield. It was always a risk with the fear Alexander-Arnold would be left exposed.
It did not work. Since then, first Conor Gallagher and then Kobbie Mainoo have taken his place.
“Of course I would have liked to keep my position in the team and be starting every game. But the manager has made decisions and I respect his decisions,” Alexander-Arnold said. “And they have worked – we are still in the competition.
“So, my mindset was always be flexible to different ideas and different roles and still now I still believe I’ve a big role to play.”
‘No matter what’s been thrown at us, we believe’
Even so, he was in a tricky position given his lack of experience in midfield. “It is difficult when you’re not playing there week in and week out for your club,” Alexander-Arnold said. “It is probably a different role for me, but it’s one I enjoyed learning and playing.”
Alexander-Arnold came on as an 84th-minute replacement for Kieran Trippier against Slovenia and did not feature in the last-16 tie against Slovakia before his crucial involvement in the quarter-final. Once again England had to come from behind and while they have been criticised for their performances at this tournament, there is an impressive resilience.
Alexander-Arnold ascribes that to Southgate. “He instils belief in us as players that we’re capable of going far. We are a very hard team to beat and I think more so in this tournament than ever we’ve shown the fight and the tenacity to come back in games, in knockout games,” he said.
“So no matter what’s been thrown at us and no matter what people say, we believe. We fight for each other. These are all messages that come from the manager and we believe we’re good enough to beat any team that’s up against us.”
England face the Netherlands in tomorrow’s semi-final – with Alexander-Arnold up against Liverpool team-mates Virgil van Dijk, Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch.
He is sure England will be ready. “Everyone has their own story and their own journey, where they have to overcome setbacks. In life, it’s about how you bounce back,” Alexander-Arnold said.