Gary Neville has criticised England’s deployment of Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold. The former Manchester United defender did not hold back his criticism during halftime of the European Championship last-16 match against Slovakia.
Gareth Southgate’s side was 1-0 down at the break and had left Alexander-Arnold on the bench, opting for Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker at full-back instead of the Liverpool number 66. However, without any innovation or attacking flair, it appeared to be a tremendous misstep.
“Southgate has got to rip up the script,” Neville stated live on ITV Sport after the interval. “We tried to be really bullish before the game, hoping that this would be the game that turned this England squad around, but he has to twist.
“I do not believe it is a case of one substitute. I believe he has to put three on. I think we need to see Cole Palmer, Trent, and Anthony Gordon. He needs to reframe the entire narrative.
“Trent Alexander-Arnold, it is illegal for him not to play football in a game like this for England. We can’t have Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier as left and right backs when we’re mostly on the ball.
“That kid [Trent] is the best fullback we’ve ever seen in this country. He has to be on the pitch.”
Ian Wright and Roy Keane both felt that England needed to dramatically improve. However, without Alexander-Arnold’s creative prowess, Liverpool might struggle.
