Gary Neville feels Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold should be starting for England at right-back
Former Manchester United skipper Gary Neville has expressed his sympathy for Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold after he was dropped by Gareth Southgate for England’s third and final group-stage game against Slovenia on Tuesday night at 2024 Euro.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, 25, has come in for intense criticism during the opening two games of the European Championships, having been named in midfield by Gareth Southgate. The Liverpool vice-captain played 69 minutes against Serbia and 54 minutes against Denmark, with the Three Lions winning 1-0 and drawing 1-1 in those fixtures respectively.
The critics got their wishes fulfilled on Tuesday when the 25-year-old was dropped against Slovenia. He was replaced by Conor Gallagher in the middle of the park, and after a poor display, the Chelsea man was hooked at half-time and in came Kobbie Mainoo.
Nonetheless, Gareth Southgate’s tweak failed as the Three Lions failed to penetrate a resolute Slovenian defence in a drab 0-0 draw. Alexander-Arnold did get onto the pitch, but only in the 84th minute as a substitute for Kieran Trippier, taking the right-back spot with Kyle Walker moving onto the other flank.
England’s progression to the knockout rounds was already guaranteed and a point in the final group-stage fixture saw them top Group C, but the attacking problems laid bare once again on Tuesday night.
Speaking on ITV after the drab 0-0 draw with Slovenia, Gary Neville felt Southgate’s decision to drop Alexander-Arnold could have a huge impact on England heading into the knockout rounds of the tournament.
“I do want to mention Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Neville said on ITV (h/t The Daily Mirror).
“I know it’s a big boy’s game and you can be left out of a football match, but I do feel that this is the best right-back we’ve ever produced by a million miles in terms of in possession, and he’s now sat on the bench wondering ‘what the hell’s going on?’. He’ll probably be devastated.”
Neville is spot on with his assessment of Alexander-Arnold and the whole England setup at the ongoing 2024 Euro. Alexander-Arnold is England’s best right-back and should be starting in his natural position for the Three Lions. It is a shame that Southgate’s current system doesn’t help in getting the best out of the 25-year-old, who can be an excellent attacking outlet with his vision, incisive passing and crossing ability.
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it is unlikely to see the Liverpool ace get into the England team as a right-back, regardless of what Neville points out there. And after Kobbie Mainoo’s impactful display against Slovenia, chances of Alexander-Arnold featuring in midfield again at this tournament has further faded.
