Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a tournament to forget after England were beaten by Spain in the final of Euro 2024 on Sunday in Berlin.
Many Liverpool fans would point towards Gareth Southgate as the problem and not their player because he struggles to get the best out of flair players in his squad.
It seems an age now, but Trent Alexander-Arnold did start the first two matches in the middle of the park, but during the 1-1 draw against Denmark in the group stages, he was taken off after just 54 minutes and that signalled the end to that experiment.
From that point onwards, the Liverpool favourite only played 11 minutes, including remaining an unused substitute for England’s semi-final win over Holland and England’s defeat to Spain in the final.
During the tournament itself, Gary Neville did spit the truth about Alexander-Arnold and how it’s ‘illegal’ that he isn’t playing at right-back.
The Manchester United legend was even delighted when Alexander-Arnold scored his penalty during England’s shootout win over Switzerland.
But Neville’s comments from 2022 on the Liverpool man have now come back to haunt him, especially following the performance of Kyle Walker.
Kyle Walker struggles at right-back against Spain in Euro 2024 final
The Manchester City defender had a torrid time, with both their goals, especially Nico Williams’ opener, coming from his side and positional mistakes from the player.
Whether at club level or on the international stage, many always seem to verbally bash Alexander-Arnold for his inability to defend.
Back in 2022, Neville stated that England manager Gareth Southgate doesn’t trust the Liverpool player at right-back in knockout football and it could come back to ‘cost’ them, as he told Sky Sports.
“It’s a really tough one with Alexander-Arnold,” said Neville. “His brilliance going forward is out of this world.
“But we’re talking about knockout football. Whether England win or lose in a World Cup is going to be down to moments. A mistake – concentration. In this moment in time, I can’t see how Gareth can go into a knockout game in a World Cup playing Trent Alexander-Arnold – I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold deserves more respect
Let’s have it right, if Alexander-Arnold had put in the performance Walker just did against the Spanish, then he probably wouldn’t be allowed back in the country.
Walker was woeful throughout and he struggled on that right side, including giving the ball away when England were trying to build out from the back.
READ MORE: 50 MOST LIKELY PREMIER LEAGUE, EFL AND EUROPEAN SUMMER 2024 FOOTBALL TRANSFERS
Walker is going to be 36 by the time the next major tournament comes about – the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico – and you feel his time on the international stage has come to an end.
Chelsea’s Reece James wasn’t fit for the Euros, he is to come back in, whilst Trent only turns 26 in October and then you add in the fact that Kieran Trippier will be 35 by the time the team fly out for the World Cup.
So, it’s time to give players like Alexander-Arnold and James a regular chance in that right-back role, but there are suggestions Gareth Southgate could now leave his England post, as sources have told HITC, so that task probably lies with the next man in the door.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
