Kieron Dyer has admitted his puzzlement that Trent Alexander-Arnold has yet to start a match for England at the World Cup in Qatar.
The Liverpool full-back earned his first minutes of the tournament during Wales’ defeat on Tuesday night when he was introduced as a second-half substitute, but Gareth Southgate needs to accept what the 23-year-old is capable of, according to the former . Newcastle midfielder.
“With Trent, and I’ve been a coach, and I’ve listened to Gary Neville and all the experts on what Trent can’t do. We never embrace what players can do. Can you imagine him against the USA the other night? I’ve never seen a technique like this since David Beckham, and this is from a right-back,” Dyer told the True Geordie Podcast (via Rousing The Kop).
“He’s amazing going forward, but all we seem to do is criticize him for what he can’t do. If you’re so worried, weigh it up and go, he could score us a goal, but he could miss us two goals. I can understand that against Brazil or Spain, but when it’s the USA or Wales… come on.
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“Listen, this is not a coup. Trippier has had an outstanding season at Newcastle. But Trent, and this is no disrespect to Trippier, when you’re talking about assists, he’s pretty much broken every assist record out there for a winger.
“I would play him in all these games, and if you come to Brazil when you are worried about Vinicius Jr, then I hope Kyle Walker is fit or Trippier. But again, we love to tell players what they can’t do.”
The Scouser has had to settle for a place behind Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker in the pecking order at right back so far this tournament.
During the recent goalless draw with the USA, England were crying out for the creativity that the Reds’ number 66 so often provides, but he was an unused substitute.
He has redefined the role of full-back in recent years, but while he is known for his world-class cross and set-piece prowess, questions remain over his defensive prowess.
If the Liverpool Academy graduate sits out against the likes of Iran and USA, then it’s hard to see him start during the knockout stages and the level of opposition rises.
From a selfish point of view, though, the less time Alexander-Arnold spends on the field, the less risk he is of injury.
Jurgen Klopp has Calvin Ramsay and Joe Gomez, who can play at right-back, as well as James Milner, who can cover when necessary, but whenever the West Derby-born man isn’t in the squad, he’s dropped. much miss.
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