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PL icon ready to drop Liverpool star as he picks Euro playing XI

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By Siddharth Juyal

England legend Alan Shearer omits Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold while sharing his EURO 24 starting 11 for the national team

Alan Shearer ignored Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold while picking his preferred starting 11 for England in the Euro 24 competition. Shearer picked Manchester City’s Kyle Walker at right-back while putting Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham as the double-pivot in midfield.

Trent played an important role for Liverpool last season while displaying his playmaker quality as a midfielder in many games. The 25-year-old excels as the top distributor in the England camp, earning high praise from his peers, despite facing criticism from some quarters.

Many football experts criticize Trent’s defensive contributions despite the Englishman’s fantastic and consistent performances for both club and country. The English team possesses many youngsters competing for the midfield spot while Trent is far more experienced despite his young age.

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 03: Trent Alexander-Arnold of England celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park on June 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND – JUNE 03: Trent Alexander-Arnold of England celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James’ Park on June 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast (via GIVEMESPORT), Shearer put Bellingham and Rice as his preferred starters over Trent. Shearer’s starting 11 included Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, Anthony Gordon and Harry Kane to complete the attacking department.

Bellingham played as an attacking midfielder last season for Real Madrid where he thrives and scores goals. Shearer’s double-pivot formation is lopsided and only seems to be accommodating Gordon’s integration into the starting lineup.

The Newcastle United legend is operating on bias even though Gordon has enjoyed a fantastic season with the Magpies. Many fans and experts believe that Trent is essential for the England squad to dominate the midfield in EURO 24.

Brazil legend Cafu praised the Liverpool vice-captain recently while mocking his critics who continuously berate Trent for his defending. Cafu and fellow Brazil legend Roberto Carlos are among the greatest fullbacks in the world and highly rate Trent.

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The duo faced the same critics that Trent faced throughout his career as a right-attacking fullback. As Trent prepares to transition into a more central role, many Liverpool fans believe this move will alleviate the defensive issues he faced as a right-back, allowing him to serve as a shield rather than a last line of defence.