Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been included in the England squad for the incoming UEFA Nations League games in September against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
Alexander-Arnold's club future is currently a major topic of debate on Merseyside, with his contract expiring at the end of the season, amid growing links to Real Madrid.
However, interim England boss Lee Carsley has retained him in the squad, as he prepares to lead England until the end of 2025 before a call is made on Gareth Southgate's permanent successor.
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Carsley has made nine squad changes from Southgate's Euro 2024 panel and there could be a tweak on Alexander-Arnold's role in the new set up.
Here's Lee Carsley's first #ThreeLions squad! 👀
— England (@England) August 29, 2024
The debate over the 25-year-old's best position burns bright for Liverpool fans with Jurgen Klopp opting against calls to move him from right-back to central midfield.
That pattern has been followed by Klopp's replacement Arne Slot with both managers confident over his ability to dictate games from a inverted role rather than a permanent switch to midfield.
However, Southgate had a clear preference for using Alexander-Arnold in midfield, with Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier covering the Three Lions right-back spot.
Southgate deliberately listed him as a midfielder at Euro 2024, with his two tournament starts coming in that position, but Carsley has named him as a defender.
Trippier has opted to retire from international football and Walker has not been selected, with Alexander-Arnold the only senior right-back in the squad, alongside Rico Lewis and the uncapped Tino Livramento.
England take on Ireland, who also have a new manager in Heimir Hallgrimsson, in Dublin on September 7 before hosing Finland at Wembley on September 10.
