Gary Lineker has taken aim at Gareth Southgate for “hanging up on Trent Alexander-Arnold”, with the BBC’s Match of the Day presenter offering his condolences to the Liverpool star for his “experiment” in midfield.
Southgate opted to field the Reds defender in an advanced position alongside Declan Rice in England’s first two matches at Euro 2024, a tactical strategy that has attracted much criticism.
While Alexander-Arnold was statistically England’s most creative midfielder during the 1-1 draw against Denmark, the 25-year-old’s experiment in midfield has come under much scrutiny, with Roy Keane claiming the Liverpool defender was “not “He is prepared to play in the midfield.”
While the Three Lions have already qualified for the knockout stages, reports from The Athletic claim that Alexander-Arnold “could now be dropped in place of Conor Gallagher” for England’s final group stage clash against Slovenia on Tuesday.
“I feel a little sorry for Trent Alexander-Arnold,” the pundit said on BBC’s Match of the Day. BBC Extra Euros Program on Monday.
Gary Lineker (pictured) has claimed that Gareth Southgate has ‘hung up on Trent Alexander-Arnold’
The England manager (left) opted to play the Liverpool star (right) in midfield during England’s opening matches at Euro 2024.
Southgate (centre) will leave Alexander-Arnold for Conor Gallagher during Tuesday night’s match against Slovenia.
“It is very difficult to play in a new position, even when a team is playing well.
“But when a team is struggling and is disjointed, not united and not getting on the field, it becomes very difficult.”
“I feel sorry for him because he is an incredibly talented player.”
Questions have been raised over Southgate’s tactics so far during England’s Euro 2024 campaign, with Alexander-Arnold being substituted in both of England’s matches against Serbia and Denmark.
Last week, Southgate had attracted attention for his comments claiming Alexander-Arnold’s positional change was “an experiment” before claiming England “did not have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips”, who was not included in the squad. of the English coach to travel to Germany.
When asked about Alexander Arnold, Southgate said: “He’s had a few moments where he’s delivered what we thought he would do.”
“We know it’s an experiment and we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips, but we’re trying a few different things and at the moment it’s not flowing the way we’d like, that’s for sure.”
Alexander-Arnold (left) was statistically England’s most creative defender against Denmark.
But the Liverpool star has been replaced by Conor Gallagher (centre) in England’s first two matches at Euro 2024.
Southgate also claimed that Alexander-Arnold’s position change (pictured) had been an “experiment”.
While the Liverpool star played a more advanced role under Jurgen Klopp last season, Wayne Rooney added that Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton would be better options for Southgate in midfield.
“Yes, I’ve been quite critical of Trent,” the former Manchester United and Everton striker admitted, while speaking to Lineker on the BBC’s Euro Extra programme.
“I love Trent as a player, as a full-back or as a right-back, arriving at the right time, but I think playing with him in the middle of the field in international football is very different to playing as a full-back.
“I’ve said it many times, I wouldn’t have played him there. But he (Southgate) has (Kobbie) Mainoo, he has (Adam) Wharton.
“For me, I play Jude (Bellingham) in the middle alongside (Declan) Rice and you get width with (Anthony) Gordon and (Phil) Foden.”
Lineker’s comments come after the BBC Match of the Day pundit produced a tongue-in-cheek response to criticism of his assessments of England’s performances at Euro 2024.
Wayne Rooney (pictured) added that Southgate should look to play Kobbie Mainoo or Adam Wharton instead of Alexander-Arnold in midfield.
Harry Kane appeared to attack Gary Lineker by criticizing “people with podcasts” who try to “promote their own channels.”
During the BBC’s coverage of Italy’s late draw against Croatia, Lineker said: “If Albania doesn’t win tonight, England will officially progress to the last 16.”
“Because even if they lose tomorrow, they will become one of the best third-placed teams.” I wish people would stop being so critical of them.’
The 63-year-old had called his performance against Denmark ‘shit’ on The Rest is Football podcast. He also called on Harry Kane to “do much better”, with the Bayern Munich star later responding to the broadcaster during a press conference.
Kane said: “I would never want to disrespect any player, especially a player who has worn the shirt and knows what it is like to play for England.”
“But what former players or former players who are experts now have to realize is that it’s very difficult not to hear it now, especially for some players who are not used to it or some players who are new to the environment.
Lineker described England’s performance against Denmark as ‘shit’ on The Rest is Football podcast
‘I always feel like they have a responsibility. I know they have to be honest and give their opinion, but they also have a responsibility to be a former England player who many players look up to, that people listen to them and people care about what they say.
“The bottom line is we haven’t won anything as a nation for a long, long time and a lot of these players were a part of that too and they know how tough it is so it’s not something that’s going to blow anyone’s mind.”
“The reality is that they know that it is difficult to play in these big tournaments and play for England.
“I would never disrespect any former player. The only thing he would say is to remember what it’s like to wear the shirt and let your words be heard. Some of the guys, I don’t know how many, but we heard it.