Paul Merson believes Gareth Southgate has included Trent Alexander-Arnold in his latest England squad to play in midfield.
Alexander-Arnold was somewhat of a surprise inclusion given he was dropped by Southgate for England's World Cup qualifiers back in March.
The Three Lions boss stated at his squad announcement back in March that he felt the Liverpool defender had not been 'at the level' he had been previously this season.
But since then, Alexander-Arnold has been in fine form and was instrumental in helping the Reds finish third in the Premier League table.
That impressive form led to the 22-year-old being recalled by Southgate, who claimed on Tuesday the Liverpool Academy graduate could also operate in midfield for his side.
He said: “You’re looking at four right-backs, people feel I have an obsession with right-backs – I just see good footballers.
“[Kieran] Trippier can play right or left-back, Trent can play right-back, wing-back, I think he can play midfield. In the last few days I’ve seen Reece James right of a three, at wing-back, in midfield.
“We’re going to a tournament and those sort of flexible players who can fulfil different roles are hugely important to us.
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“So we really don’t know how the next few weeks will play out in terms of injuries, we’ve got too many question-marks as I sit here today, but that will become far clearer.
"We know what we’d like to do, and we have good contingencies in place.”
And Merson feels that Alexander-Arnold could be used as an extra midfield option and will get minutes in midfield in his side’s two upcoming friendly matches.
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“The squad he’s picked is heavy on defenders and forwards, and very light in midfield,” the former Arsenal star wrote in his Daily Star column.
“Jordan Henderson and Kalvin Phillips are touch and go, and Declan Rice isn’t long back from an injury.
“Maybe that’s why he’s talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold playing there in an emergency – we might even see it in one of the friendlies next week.”
