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Gary Neville has performed a 180 over his assessment of England star Trent Alexander-Arnold (Image: GETTY)
Gary Neville has been left red-faced after performing a 180 over his assessment of England star Trent Alexander-Arnold. The versatile Liverpool player started the Three Lions’ first two Euro 2024 matches in midfield but was left on the bench against Slovakia on Sunday after only featuring for six minutes in the final group game against Slovenia last week.
Conor Gallagher and Kobbie Mainoo have been favoured over Alexander-Arnold in England’s last two encounters, with Kyle Walker featuring at right-back throughout the tournament.
And Neville was furious that the talented 2019 Champions League winner has been overlooked by Gareth Southgate.
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Neville is clearly now a huge fan of Alexander-Arnold, who played an instrumental role for Liverpool during their trophy-laden spell under former manager Jurgen Klopp.
But his views appear to conflict with his opinion of the 25-year-old ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, with Neville discussing the player following a Premier League match between Liverpool and Tottenham.
“It's a really tough one with Alexander-Arnold. His brilliance going forward is out of this world,” Neville told Sky Sports in November 2022.
“But we're talking about knockout football. Whether England win or lose in a World Cup is going to be down to moments. A mistake - concentration. In this moment in time, I can't see how Gareth can go into a knockout game in a World Cup playing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
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England star Trent Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute against Slovakia on Sunday (Image: GETTY)
“I want this player to be the greatest right-back of all-time because he's got the ability to do that. But at times at Tottenham, he looked like he could cost Liverpool dearly.
“In a World Cup, I think he's giving away a penalty [for his challenge on Ryan Sessegnon]. I don't think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game. Which means, will he then take him? If he's got four brilliant right-backs, will he go?
“Does Gareth want to take Trent as a joker if England need a goal? He won't start him, but will he take him as someone to bring off the bench if England need a goal? That's the decision Gareth has to make.”
Alexander-Arnold did end up winning a place in Southgate’s World Cup 2022 squad. But the ace featured in just one match after coming on against Wales as a second half substitute, with England going on to lose to France in the quarter-finals.
