Malta 0 England 4: Three Lions stroll to victory as Trent Alexander-Arnold nets worldie in new position
STEVEN GERRARD would have been proud as punch.
The way his fellow scouser sprayed passes around the midfield, tracked back when needed and lit up the night with an absolute belter of a goal.
So it was fitting that Trent Alexander-Arnold, who considers Gerrard as his greatest Liverpool hero, delivered a hugely-impressive shift out of position in central midfield while also wearing 10 on the back of his shirt.
This was the same number as Gerrard often wore for the Three Lions.
And while this was a straightforward win over Malta, Alexander-Arnold gave both Gareth Southgate and Jurgen Klopp food for thought after.
Let’s be honest, Alexander-Arnold is no Jude Bellingham. And it was only against Malta – who did not have a single touch in England’s area.
But it was also only Andorra two years ago that Alexander-Arnold was handed his first ever run-out in England’s midfield and was so disappointing he was shoved back to right-back after 45 minutes.
But here, the 24-year-old played with the confidence he has squeezed you from a hugely-encouraging end of season run for Liverpool where he played in a hybrid role, pushing up from defence into midfield when Klopp’s team had the ball.
England were easy winners thanks to an own goal from Ferdinando Apap, Alexander-Arnold’s long-range stunner and a penalty from Harry Kane in the first half.
Callum Wilson added a second goal for his country from the penalty spot late on.
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So, it is now three wins from three in this Euro 2024 qualifying campaign which means that Southgate’s men are sleepwalking their way to the finals in Germany.
Yet on Monday, North Macedonia visit Old Trafford for their third visit and have yet to lose a game in England.
And Southgate absolutely must give Alexander-Arnold another run-out in the same position, to the right of a midfield three.
North Macedonia may not be world beaters but they still shocked Italy in a World Cup play-off and Alexander-Arnold must be given another vital chance. Even though, if we are being realistic, he would only be used as back-up if Southgate’s other midfield permutations are not working.
Alexander-Arnold was only given the chance because Bellingham is back home injured.
But with Conor Gallagher and Kalvin Phillips the other alternatives, Southgate really must keep Alexander-Arnold even though some of Manchester City’s players should finally have sobered up to start the game in Manchester.
Alexander-Arnold, who played for Liverpool’s youth team in midfield, has spent most of his England career looking in from the outside.
The fact this was only his 19th cap showed you that Southgate has clearly never trusted him and when you look at some of his defending for Liverpool, little wonder.
Not helped by the fact right-backs Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James are ahead of him, this was his first start since June last year.
At the World Cup in Qatar he was handed just 33 minutes, against Wales.
Southgate said ahead of the game he was not expecting a perfect performance but just wanted to see signs of encouragement so it was mission accomplished.
And for the England coach, this was a much more pleasant night than his last trip here in 2017 when the away fans chanted “we’re fu**ing sh*t” with the scores goalless.
On a slightly lighter note, the Maltese fans, clearly not impressed by their opponents reputation for cuisine, started with bizarre chants of “fish and chips”.
Malta defender Apap was wearing the number 13 on the back of his although he might consider wanting to change numbers in future.
He made a complete mess of trying to block Bukayo Saka’s bobbling cross from reaching Kane and instead, ended up booting the ball into his own net.
Not even Kane would have dared to claim that goal which was created courtesy of an outstanding ball over the top of the defence by Alexander-Arnold, who had combined well with Saka before he went off at the break with a knock.
Alexander-Arnold delivered the stand-out moment of the game in the 28th minute when taking just one touch to control a poor clearance from home skipper Steve Borg and his finish from 25 yards was unstoppable.
Kane struck England goal number 56 from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Matthew Guillaumier.
Phil Foden came on at half-time for Saka, Marcus Rashford and Wilson were given run-outs while there was a proud moment for Eberechi Eze who made his debut as a 70th minute replacement for James Maddison, who struggled to impress.
Elsewhere, Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi was handed only his fourth cap and first appearance and after a slightly nervous start, comfortably grew into the game.
And Notts County’s Jodi Jones, thrilled to be playing against the England team he was supporting at the World Cup, delivered a few moments which brought a cheer from the home fans.
Wilson completed the scoring from the spot after a handball from defender Borg to finish off a comfortable if unspectacular win.
And for Southgate and his players, at least the journey back to the airport was a lot more comfortable than last time here.