Euro 2024: Alexander-Arnold stars for England in opening win over Serbia

The Reds’ number 66 has been selected to start in midfield by head coach Gareth Southgate for the Group C encounter in Gelsenkirchen.

Alexander-Arnold completed 69 minutes of the match – with his Liverpool teammate Joe Gomez named on the bench – after helping his nation to a first-half lead.

England dominated early possession in the contest and were only rewarded for their efforts in the 13th minute of the match.

Winger Bukayo Saka drove towards the byline after being released down the right flank, delivering into the box for the onrushing Jude Bellingham to head home from inside the six-yard box.

The Three Lions then went on for a second, Kyle Walker sending a ball over the bar, before Serbia threatened through Aleksandar Mitrovic, who shot just wide.

After the break, Serbia started on the front foot in search of an equaliser, with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford forced into action on several occasions.

Before the departure and in his last significant action of the evening, Alexander-Arnold hit a well-struck effort from outside the area as play opened up, Serbian stopper Predrag Rajkovic managing to beat his shot away thanks to strong hands.

Both Pickford and Rajkovic were each made to produce severe saves in the latter stages, with Three Lions captain Harry Kane forcing the most notable of these, seeing his header pushed onto the crossbar.

England, however, stood firm defensively as time ticked down to take the spoils and start the tournament with a win.