Gary Neville has suggested that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold’s overall game, in particular his defensive abilities, will ultimately benefit from his World Cup experience.
Scouse’s fullback found himself overlooked by Gareth Southgate for much of the England tournament, earning just one cameo against Wales in the group stage, while Kieran Trippier was the favorite ahead of the 24-year-old in the pecking order.
“Look, I think Kieran Trippier is a really good fullback, but I think Trent Alexander-Arnold, watching Kieran Trippier be selected against him in a World Cup match, will have hit the mark,” the former said. international from England to Sky Sports.
“People will say ‘Is that Gareth Southgate because he’s more pragmatic?’ I think in general if a team doesn’t have as much possession, if a team isn’t in as good shape, as maybe Liverpool haven’t been for parts of this season, your defensive mistakes will stand out more.
“And that will happen during his career when he plays for Liverpool or England when they are not in such a dominant form.
“He is expected to defend better and I think it’s about being more serious with your defense and tonight. [against Leicester City] you’ve seen him there crouching down and looking brilliant in his work and footwork.”
Much of the criticism surrounding the Reds’ number 66 has revolved around his defensive contributions in 2022/23 with Jurgen Klopp’s men struggling for defensive solidity.
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Although luck certainly played a part in the Merseysiders’ win over former boss Brendan Rodgers’ Foxes side, Alexander-Arnold needed none of it to produce a commanding defensive display at Anfield.
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While we can certainly appreciate that our first-choice right-back’s standard dropped a bit in the early section of the campaign (something the player himself has alluded to), we feel that a considerable proportion of the criticism has been overblown.
Given Southgate’s decision to back currently unfit players for their clubs (Raheem Sterling being a prime example), it made little sense why Trippier was favored at times over Trent.
It has to be said that both Kyle Walker and the Newcastle man are phenomenal players in their own right, although it’s hard to argue that the overall package presented by our Academy graduate, as a fullback who has redefined his position, isn’t more exciting. than his competition at the national level.
There will be work to be done for the West Derby-born footballer to re-establish himself as the leading fullback in English football (as far as commentators beyond the Merseyside borders are concerned, at least) and potentially get into the good books of Southgate. before the euro.
However, given how little impact his previous achievements seemed to have on the Three Lions boss’s decision-making, there is an element of concern that no matter what Trent Alexander-Arnold does on a domestic level, he will never be allowed to. to get ahead of the coach’s favourites.
Only time will tell on that front now that the former Middlesbrough head coach has confirmed he will lead England’s Euro 2024 campaign.
You can watch the full clip below, courtesy of @SkySportsPL:
????️ “Trent watching Trippier at the World Cup will have hit the target”
Gary Neville says Trent AA needs to be more ‘serious’ with his defending to become a better right-back! pic.twitter.com/DbfqYU7Akn
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) December 30, 2022
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