Wayne Rooney unconvinced by Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold, rejects England midfield spot

Wayne Rooney criticised the defensive abilities of Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold, asking England manager Gareth Southgate not to play him in midfield. Rooney’s criticisms about Trent are only a drop in the big media narrative that has continued against the Liverpool vice-captain.

Trent played a key role for Liverpool last season despite missing many games due to an untimely injury. The 25-year-old played as an inverted right-back last season and also featured a lot in the midfield under Jurgen Klopp.

Trent changed the trajectory of many games in Liverpool’s favour last season after the Reds conceded early goals through complacency. The England international has won several major trophies for Liverpool by playing as a right-back in Klopp’s era.

Liverpool would not have won those major trophies if Trent’s defence was as disastrous as these experts are narrating. Former Manchester United players Roy Keane and Gary Neville are the driving forces behind the persistent criticism of Trent Alexander-Arnold, fueling the anti-Trent agenda. At the same time, the biggest legends of football like Cafu and Roberto Carlos have defended the Liverpool vice-caption and mocked his critics.

Rooney told the Overlap (via YouTube) that Trent is a vulnerability defensively while preferring Jude Bellingham in a deeper position. He said:

“I think he’ll (Southgate) go with Trent. I think he’s probably the most gifted player with the ball at his feet we’ve got. Defensively, he’s all over the place. He can’t defend. I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch. And I love Trent.”

Bellingham played the whole season with Real Madrid as an attacking midfielder where he thrives the most. Rooney’s argument falls apart from the beginning, as he proposed an unbalanced midfield trio of Declan Rice, Bellingham, and Phil Foden

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As a right-back, Trent has to act as a last cover at times or deal with attackers one-on-one. The 25-year-old needs defensive support because his primary focus is on attacking, not because he’s a poor defender, but because his strengths lie in his offensive skills.

As a midfielder, the England international operates as a shield or an added presence which is more suited for him. Trent is the best playmaker in the England camp and he has a good recovery stat which is essential for a deep midfielder. Rooney’s assessment with Neville about Trent shows why the duo failed spectacularly as managers in football.