Despite a rocky start to the tournament, where he initially lost his spot after playing the first two matches in midfield, Alexander-Arnold's determination never wavered. Even with England manager Gareth Southgate conceding the Liverpool ace might have thought his time at the tournament was over, Alexander-Arnold's mindset remained steadfast .
His perseverance paid off when he became England's hero in the penalty shoot-out against Switzerland on Saturday, confidently netting the decisive kick. Reflecting on his experiences, Alexander-Arnold said: "I think the journey I've been on throughout football so far has taken me to ups and downs. My high moments and low moments and it's in those times that you realise what you can put yourself through mentally and overcome.
"So whatever the game throws at me now I feel like I'm in a position to deal with it and be able to perform and do the best in whatever role that is. So for me there is no pressure, there is no feeling of the mentality.
"The mentality is to help the team win the game so when the manager tells me that you're coming on with five or six minutes to go then I know my role, know what I need to do and my mindset is in the right place no matter what.
"As a player, all 26 of us want to play as many minutes as we can. Obviously that isn’t possible, so the manager has to pick a team and we all respect his decisions. No matter how many minutes you play and when you get on the pitch, you have a role to play. We all buy into that and we have bought into that from the very beginning. No matter what role you play, you earn your medal. You see that togetherness in the group.”
Alexander-Arnold was one of the most talked about players coming into this tournament. He is incredibly gifted, arguably England's best passer of the ball. But it was also about him playing in midfield for England when he plays as a right-back for Liverpool.
There have been occasions when Jurgen Klopp used him as an inverted full-back. But England boss Southgate tried the midfield experiment in a tournament and, ultimately, ditched it after two games. But there was no bitterness towards Southgate and only praise for the England manager for getting the team into a semifinal.
Alexander-Arnold added: "I think for me it’s all part and parcel of football. The game takes you on a journey. Of course I would have liked to keep my position in the team and be starting every game, but the manager has made decisions and I respect his decisions.
"And they have worked - we are still in the competition. We are looking forward to a semi-final. No matter what, the team always comes first and you have to buy into that to give the team the best chance possible and be ready for your moment whenever that comes.
"I'll give everything I've got, like I've done so far. Try and learn and improve and do everything I'm asked to do as much as I can. But it is difficult when you're not playing there week in and week out for your club. It is probably a different role for me, but it's one that no I enjoyed learning and I enjoyed playing."
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