Gary Neville pleads England coach Gareth Southgate ahead of the World Cup in Qatar. And it is yet another claim to drop a Liverpool player from the national team. The expert spent years as a right back and sees the position as a threat for The Three Lions. Trent Alexander-Arnold will not come if it is up to him.
Neville first noticed Liverpool’s Achilles heel in the game against Tottenham Hotspur. The Reds won in London, but the former international was unimpressed with his successor. “Alexander-Arnold made several fantastic passes, but he was also pressed in the personal duels,” Sky Sports concluded.
“With Alexander-Arnold, it’s quite difficult,” Neville admitted. He was referring to the stark disparity in the wing defender’s play. “His offensive brilliance is unrivalled, out of this planet. However, we are discussing knockout matchups. Moments will determine whether England wins or loses in such a World Cup duel.”
If Neville has his way, the stakes are too high to rely on Alexander-Arnold in Qatar. “A blunder, a lapse in concentration, can cost you your head. At the moment, I don’t see how Southgate can play a crucial World Cup game with Alexander-Arnold in the squad.”
“Against Tottenham, he already seemed as if his flaws will cost Liverpool dearly,” Neville said. Finally, Jürgen Klopp’s team was saved, but this did not inspire confidence. In a tussle with Ryan Sessegnon, Alexander-Arnold almost handed in a penalty. “I believe he will give up a penalty in a World Cup. I don’t think Southgate can put his trust in him. And why would he want to bring it with him? He has four more fantastic right-backs,” he remarked.
It would be a massive surprise if Trent Alexander-Arnold fails to make it to the final squad for the world cup. Especially, considering the likes of Reece James and Kyle Walker are injured. With that being said Kieran Trippier, James Justin and Ben White are the options available.
