Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in the current world. The Liverpool full-back has been impressive for them last season as well, but as a full-back. The Englishman was sent to the middle of the park by manager Gareth Southgate in their two games in Euro 2024, and the result was awful. Trent failed to make any impact and was taken out in both matches.
Roy Keane Slams Southgate and Trent
Former Irish international and Manchester United legend Roy Keane feels that Trent, even though he drifts into midfield at times in his Liverpool shirt, wouldn’t be able to do the job of a full-time central midfielder.
“We talk about football in what you do in possession, it’s really important what you do out of possession and that’s why he’s been thrown in the deep end. Okay he’s going to be comfortable on the ball and if you give him time he can see a pass, there’s no doubting that. But it’s the other bits of his game, the distances. Rice feels like he’s babysitting him in there and you can’t do that at this level, you will be found out. And he has.”
Check Out: Euro 2024 Full Schedule, Fixtures, Dates, Venues
Keane slammed Southgate for taking a gamble to send a fullback into the central midfield. The ability to get the distances and physical toughness are crucial traits for being a midfielder, and Keane says Trent ‘came up short in both of the games’.
“When you’ve been taken off in the two games that’s not a good sign. I thought it was always a huge gamble to play a player who doesn’t play that position week-in week-out for his club. I know people say he drifts in there for Liverpool, but drifting into a position and staying there and starting are two completely different things. I’ve played midfield, it’s a tough position, physically, getting your distances and he’s come up short in the two games. “
“It’s not all down to him, you’d have to put this on Gareth. It’s a huge gamble to throw a full-back into the middle of the park. And this was against two teams that you would have thought England would be comfortable and have lots of possession. It was a big ask for him and he’s not up to it.”
England will have their final group match against Slovenia on June 26 at the Müngersdorfer Stadium. With a win and a tie, England is leading Group C with 4 points. A tie in the next match will get them through to the knockout stages.
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