Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold put on a masterful display for England in midfield against Malta and appeared to catch the eye of a Reds transfer target.
Usually tasked with pulling the strings from right-back at Anfield, England boss Gareth Southgate teased before kick-off he may deploy Alexander-Arnold in midfield like so many have called for. The Liverpool academy graduate passed the test with flying colours, playing a part in the Three Lions' first and third goals either side of a screamer of his own for the second.
As fans waxed lyrical over his supreme technical quality come full-time, the more eagle-eyed Liverpool fans spotted that OGC Nice midfielder Khephren Thuram had 'liked' a post on Instagram celebrating Alexander-Arnold's performance.
The Reds have been linked with a move for Thuram since the tail-end of last season and the Frenchman's social media activity won't do anything to quieten the rumours that suggest he could be Anfield-bound.
According to French outlet L'Equipe, Thuram may find trying to leave Nice this summer difficult, though he has been 'seduced' by Liverpool's long-term plan for his development after discussions between the two parties.
As mentioned, Thuram is just one of many to be left in awe of Alexander-Arnold's masterful midfield work. The 24-year-old's goal was also a thing of beauty as he curled his delightful right-footed effort from outside the area and beyond Henry Bonello in the Malta net in similar fashion to so many of goals for the Reds at club level.
After the game, Alexander-Arnold was pressed for comment on how he felt his 90 minutes in the new role went.
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"I don’t know. I think potentially [I can play in midfield more]," he told Channel 4. "I haven’t played it too much but it feels comfortable. It feels natural, I will say that. It’s somewhere I can see myself playing. I want to make sure I am regularly on the team sheet and today was a good foundation to build on."
The Liverpool-born talent went on to add: "Hopefully I am one of those players that can be used in a number of positions. I’m not bothered where I play as long as I’m playing. No matter what position I’m playing in, I will give my all and try and win the game.
"Regarding England, the manager has always tried to find a way to get me into the team and with the quality of the players who play in those positions, it’s been difficult to do that. I think the role I’ve been playing with club football, it’s a new avenue. It’s still early doors, it’s only one match. But it’s important that when I get the opportunity, I take it."
