Trent Alexander-Arnold left-back experiment leaves fans questioning whether interim England boss Lee Carsley is taking role seriously

Under-21s coach Carsley has been handed managerial reins at senior level by the Three Lions following Gareth Southgate’s decision to walk away on the back of a second successive European Championship final defeat. A permanent appointment will be made at some stage in the near future.

Carsley has ruled himself out of the running, leading some to question how seriously he is taking the role. England did open their latest UEFA Nations League campaign with back-to-back wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland, but suffered a 2-1 home defeat to Greece when starting the game with no recognised striker.

News of Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold being asked to switch to left-back has caused more confusion, with @Tom_Som08 saying: “How has this clown been given the England job? Best right back in the world but yeah let’s play him at left back.”

Another disgruntled fan, @robhall372, added: “Carsley shouldn’t be anywhere near the senior England team, the game the other night proved that. And now going to play Trent at left back? Unbelievable.”

@RealTomHoskins went on to say: "Another silly experiment that really isn’t going to work.” @mfwic1865 has suggested that Carsley “really doesn't want the job then”, with many more echoing those sentiments.

It is not the first time that Alexander-Arnold has formed part of an experiment in the England set-up. After several years of facing fierce competition for places at right-back, the Liverpool star was asked to line up in midfield by Southgate at the start of the Three Lions’ Euro 2024 campaign, before this short-lived plan was abandoned after only two games.