Alexander-Arnold is biggest teaser in endless England midfield question | David Hytner

After showing his versatility against Australia, Gareth Southgate has to decide between a game-changer and Kalvin Phillips’ solidity

It was as if Trent Alexander-Arnold had decided it was time to cast off the shackles. England had struggled in the first half of Friday night’s Wembley friendly against Australia, who were compact, especially in central areas; a threat on the break, set pieces too – exactly the type of opposition that they have laboured to unlock over the years. Gareth Southgate’s experimental team was clogged up, lacking in pace and movement.

Alexander-Arnold’s first action of the second half was to thread an excellent low pass up in between the lines to Conor Gallagher, which led to a half-chance for James Maddison. That was in the 50th minute. Next from him was a spin and a shot that hit Jack Grealish. After that, a lovely diagonal out to Grealish, again with trademark fizz, of which nothing came.

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