‘I can’t see how Gareth Southgate could go into a knock-out game with Trent Alexander-Arnold!’: Gary Neville claims Liverpool full-back SHOULDN’T be part of World Cup squad after defensive difficulties in trip to Tottenham
- Neville made the claim after Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Tottenham on Sunday
- Alexander-Arnold came under serious defensive pressure throughout the game
- The Liverpool full-back failed to deal with a number of attack’s down the wing
- Neville suggested he’s not trustworthy enough for big ‘moments’ for England
Gary Neville has claimed that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold could miss out on England’s World Cup squad due to his ‘rash’ defending.
The England international starred in Liverpool’s 2-1 win away at Tottenham on Sunday but came under criticism after nearly conceding a penalty for a push in the back on Ryan Sessegnon.
And as pundits analysed the full-back’s performance in north London, Neville suggested Alexander-Arnold could cost England ‘dearly’ in Qatar if selected to play.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s place in the England World Cup squad was under intense debate
Gary Neville suggested the full-back’s defensive style is too ‘rash’ for England’s campaign
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Neville said: ‘His brilliance going forward is out of this world but we are talking about knock-out football and it will come down to a moment.
‘I can’t see how Gareth Southgate would go into a knockout game of a World Cup playing Trent. I want him to be the greatest right-back of all time because he has that ability but at times today, he looks like he could cost Liverpool dearly.
‘He does rash things and I think he is giving away a penalty in a World Cup. I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game and he already has four brilliant right backs.’
Alexander-Arnold was tested throughout Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham and nearly cost the Reds when he pushed Spurs’ Sessegnon in the back but officials deemed that there was no decision to be made.
The full-back nearly gave away a penalty after seemingly impeding Ryan Sessegnon
Gareth Southgate will travel with his England squad for the World Cup in two weeks time
To counter, Jamie Redknapp argued that Alexander-Arnold’s offensive ability was too good to overlook for England’s World Cup campaign.
Redknapp said: ‘The flip side is you have a player who can produce genius. Gareth has done a great job but I don’t see how we can afford to not take a player who has that brilliance.
‘We have been obsessed with right backs, we took 20 to the Euros! We don’t need them all, we need to see who can win you a game. I get Trent isn’t in great form, there were times today where he was in the tumble dryer.’
There have been times recently where the England international has been used in a right midfield position – slightly forward of his traditional full-back spot – due to his impressive long-range passing.
Alexander-Arnold’s ‘genius’ playmaking is a reason to take him according to Redknapp
In the end, Alexander-Arnold’s defensive worries didn’t cause Liverpool as they ran out 2-1 winners on the night.
Mohamed Salah bagged a brace after netting a neat finish early on before later capitalising on an Eric Dier mistake at the back.
Harry Kane pulled one back for the hosts but it was too little too late for Antonio Conte’s side as they failed to keep pace with the other teams in the top four.
Redknapp (middle right) suggested that Alexander-Arnold was better than other options
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