Gary Lineker risks more England backlash by singling out star by name
Gary Lineker has claimed Trent Alexander-Arnold has "been hung out to dry" by England boss Gareth Southgate at Euro 2024.
Alexander-Arnold has been used as a midfielder in England's games against Serbia and Denmark and Southgate has admitted the move was an "experiment", with the Three Lions lacking a "natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips ".
"He's had some moments where he has delivered what we thought he would," Southgate said after England's lacklustre draw against Denmark. "We know it is an experiment and we don't have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips, but we're trying some different things and at the moment we're not flowing as we'd like, that's for sure."
In response to Southgate's comments, Lineker said on the BBC 's Euros Extra show: "I do feel a bit for Trent Alexander-Arnold. I feel like he's been hung out to dry a little bit. His manager's said he's an experiment and now it looks like an experiment that doesn't work.
"It's very hard to play in a new position even when a team's playing well. But when a team's struggling and a team's disjointed and not together and not getting up the pitch it becomes very difficult. I do feel for him because he's an unbelievably talented player."
It comes after Lineker branded England's performance against Denmark "s***", prompting captain Harry Kane to hit back. "I'd never want to be disrespectful to any player, especially, you know, a player who's worn the shirt and knows what it's like to play for England," Kane said
"Maybe ex-players or ex-players who are pundits now have got to realise... it's very hard not to listen to [what they say] now, especially for some players who are not used to it or some players who are new to the environment.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Gareth Southgate
"So I always feel like [former players and pundits] have a responsibility. I know they've got to be honest and give their opinion, but also they have a responsibility of being an ex-England player. The bottom line is, we haven't won anything as a nation for a long, long time.
"And, you know, a lot of these ex-players were part of that as well... they do know that it's tough to play in these major tournaments. It's tough to play for England. I would never disrespect any ex-player, all I would say is remember what it is like to wear the shirt and that their words are listened to.
"Some of the lads, I don't know how many, but we do hear it. We all want to win a major tournament and I am sure they want us to win a major tournament and being as helpful as they can and building the lads up with confidence would be a much better way of going about it."
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