Neville: “It is impossible to pick Trent Alexander-Arnold for a World Cup knockout game”

Nov 8, 2022

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LIVERPOOL, England – If Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will be traveling to Qatar is still unknown as England manager Gareth Southgate will announce his World Cup roster on Thursday.

In Liverpool’s 2 to 1 victory at Tottenham on Sunday, Alexander-strengths Arnold’s and shortcomings were in full show, from sweeping diagonal passes to laborious one-on-one skirmishes with Ryan Sessegnon and Ivan Perisic.

Despite having the potential to be the best right-back the game has ever seen, according to Neville, Alexander-Arnold has glaring defensive flaws that could prevent him from being selected for the World Cup.

“I don’t see how Gareth can play Trent Alexander-Arnold in a World Cup knockout game at this time because we’re talking about knockout football, when England’s success or failure in a tournament will depend on small mistakes or lapses in concentration.

“As a result of his potential, I want this player to surpass all other right-backs in history. However, he occasionally appeared to be able to cost Liverpool dearly while playing for Tottenham.”

I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game, so will he then take him? If he has four outstanding right-backs, would he go? In a World Cup, I believe he’s giving away a penalty [for his challenge on Sessegnon].

The joker in the England squad, Alexander-Arnold?

Alexander-Arnold, in Neville’s opinion, could be a ‘joker in the pack’ in Southgate’s 26-man squad—a player who doesn’t start but offers a choice if England needs to score.

Neville said, “I look at the list of right-backs.” “Reece James, Kyle Walker, and Ben White should all go if they are healthy because of their versatility in playing right-back or in a back three. Trippier will always go because Gareth likes him.

“Trent won’t start, but Gareth must decide if he wants to use him as a joker if England needs to score. Trent won’t come off the bench, but Gareth must decide if Trent will.

“The question of “how is he not in?” should not be one we ask ourselves on Thursday.

“We believe that everyone who will be participating should participate given the quantity of participants you can accept.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold, Reece James, Kieran Trippier, Ben White, and James Maddison — who is in excellent form — are the big problems that are forming.

Alexander-Arnold gave a mixed performance, according to Klopp

The manager of Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, acknowledged that Alexander-performance Arnold’s was inconsistent but nonetheless worthy of praise given the kind of competition he faced after his team’s victory at Spurs snapped a two-game Premier League losing skid.

Klopp acknowledged that “it was a mixed bag.” “We could have used these balls even more, but his diagonals are extraordinary and seem to be from another planet.

In the first half, he faced off against Sessegnon; in the second, he faced off against Perisic, who can cross with both of his feet and poses a threat in the air. “It’s incredibly difficult with four at the back to defend these things, it’s only doable with support.

As a defender, there are several things to think about. You can only hope that the midfielders will be able to assist you. He played pretty well, in my opinion, but it’s difficult for the full-back.

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