Southgate jumps to England star's defence after Keane and Rooney criticism

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to start in England’s midfield against Serbia (Picture: Getty)

Gareth Southgate has leapt to the defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold, with the likes of Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney voicing their concerns over the Liverpool star ahead of England’s Euro 2024 group-stage opener against Serbia.

Southgate has experimented with Alexander-Arnold in a midfield three heading into this summer’s tournament and the Liverpool right-back is expected to be given the nod alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham in England’s engine room in Gelsenkirchen this evening.

Alexander-Arnold is widely regarded as one of the finest passers of the ball in the Premier League, with his incredible range often compared to that of Kevin De Bruyne, but his defensive vulnerabilities have been well-documented in recent seasons.

The 25-year-old’s frailties in this area partly explain why the 25-year-old has failed to nail down a regular starting role with the Three Lions under Southgate, but he will win his 26th cap should he feature in tonight’s Group C contest.

Previewing the clash on ITV Sport, Roy Keane said Alexander-Arnold would be ‘fine’ deployed in midfield against lesser opposition such as Serbia but predicted the full-back could get ‘ripped to shreds’ and ‘found out’ against the ‘real top teams’ in Germany.

‘It’s all about getting the balance right in your team,’ the legendary ex- Manchester United caption said.

‘They’ve got some brilliant individuals, we’ve mentioned that many times before. There are four or five players that would walk into any of the teams in this tournament but it’s getting that balance right.’

Rooney and Keane are concerned about Alexander-Arnold’s defensive frailties (Picture: Getty)

Meanwhile, Wayne Rooney declared that he would not have Alexander-Arnold ‘anywhere near the middle of the pitch’ as he looked ahead to England’s group-stage campaign.

‘Defensively, he’s all over the place. He can’t defend,’ the former England skipper told The Overlap.

‘I wouldn’t have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch. I’d have no problem with playing him at right-back.

‘I think in midfield, I wouldn’t have him anywhere near there. And I love Trent, actually. I think on the ball, the stuff he can do, no one else can do it.’

Southgate hopes to steer England to a first major trophy in 58 years (Picture: Getty)

Southgate has been open with his doubts over the defensive side of Alexander-Arnold’s game in the past and this week admitted there was ‘an element of the unknown’ in playing the Liverpool academy graduate in midfield.

Responding to the recent criticism from United great Keane, the England boss said pundits were allowed to have ‘opinions’ but stressed that he was confident Alexander-Arnold could be a ‘really special player’ in the middle of the park.

‘Everybody’s more than entitled to opinions, so that’s our world, we have to accept that. Then we have to go and show what we can do,’ Southgate told reporters.

The Liverpool star is expected to win his 26th cap for England this evening (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m really happy. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It’s something he’s been really keen to do.

‘He’s been really receptive to feedback and every bit of information. We know he can be a really special player. Equally, we know it’s not something he’s been doing for the last five years.

‘There is an element of the unknown to it. But I think it’s an opportunity that’s worth grasping because he could be something incredibly special.’

Asked about Alexander-Arnold’s suitability in midfield in a separate interview with ITV Sport, Southgate added: ‘We think he can offer something we don’t have, he can give the team a different dimension and he’s been diligent in understanding the role.

‘He has as good a passing range as anyone in world football really.

‘He’s been invested in learning and understanding all aspects of the game in that role and I’ve enjoyed working with him on that project in the last 12 months.

‘His mentality and attitude have been absolutely first class.’

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