Trent Alexander-Arnold 'devastated' and wondering 'what's going on' after England decision
Trent Alexander-Arnold will have been “devastated” after being dropped for England’s draw against Slovenia, according to Gary Neville.
Alexander-Arnold started England’s opening two matches at Euro 2024 in midfield but lost his place to Conor Gallagher on Tuesday night. That was the only change Gareth Southgate has made to his starting line-up so far at the tournament, despite less-than-inspiring performances.
The Three Lions have qualified for the knockout stages after finishing top of Group C, but the attacking problems evident in the 1-1 draw against Denmark last week remained in the dull 0-0 draw against Slovenia. Gallagher was brought in for his energy in the press, but didn’t make an impact and was replaced by Kobbie Mainoo at half-time.
Alexander-Arnold did get onto the pitch, but only as an 84th-minute substitute for Kieran Trippier which saw him slot in at right-back – the position he plays for Liverpool. Manchester United midfielder Mainoo made an impact off the bench and Alexander-Arnold’s place in the side is now in doubt going into the last-16 game on Sunday.
“I do want to mention Trent Alexander-Arnold,” Neville said on ITV. “I know it’s a big boy’s game and you can be left out of a football match, but I do feel that this is the best right-back we’ve ever produced by a million miles in terms of in possession, and he’s now sat on the bench wondering ‘what the hell’s going on?’. He’ll probably be devastated.”
Explaining his decision to bring Gallagher ahead of kick-off, Southgate said: “Conor presses the ball really well, his forward running is an important asset as well so we have thought he can stretch them defensively and add in an important area in midfield winning second balls and trying to win the ball further up the pitch. We want to win the ball higher and use it with more composure.”
England player Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts
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That idea did not become reality as England put in another lacklustre attacking display which only contained flashes of potential. Their best moments came courtesy of substitutes Mainoo, Cole Palmer and Anthony Gordan, leaving Southgate with plenty to ponder in the coming days before they find out their next opponents for Sunday’s 5pm kick-off in Gelsenkirchen.
Before the game, Alexander-Arnold was defended by his midfield partner from the opening two games, Declan Rice. “It’s funny because people were calling for Trent to play in midfield,” he told ITV. “Half the country are calling for Trent to play in midfield then you play him in midfield and you want to bring him down – I don’t get it. I don’t get it at all.
“I’ll defend all of my boys until the day I never put on an England shirt. Trent is one of the best players I’ve ever seen. Don’t call for someone to play in a position and then backtrack all because you think he had a bad game or something. I’ll tell you now, Trent can play in midfield. I’ve seen it at England, I’ve seen it for Liverpool. He’s unbelievable. That’s what I say to the people you see say that type of stuff.”
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