Gareth Southgate cannot afford to pick Trent Alexander-Arnold for England’s World Cup squad because he is a liability in defence, according to Gary Neville.
Alexander-Arnold helped Liverpool pick up their first away win in the Premier League this season on Sunday against Tottenham. Two goals from Mohamed Salah saw the Reds triumph 2-1 in north London, with Harry Kane’s second-half goal proving only to be a consolation.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admitted after the match that Alexander-Arnold had put in a mixed bag of a performance. The right-back played some trademark cross-field passes and whipped in a few tempting crosses, but he also came under pressure defensively, with Ivan Perisic hitting the post twice and Ryan Sessegnon having a penalty claim turned down.
Former England right-back Neville saw the game as a microcosm of Alexander-Arnold’s career and believes Southgate should take a cautious approach in his selection on Thursday. Provided they are fit, Neville would pick Kieran Trippier, Reece James, Kyle Walker and Ben White ahead of Alexander-Arnold.
“It’s a really tough one because his brilliance going forward is out of this world,” Neville said on Sky Sports. “How are England going to win or lose in the World Cup? It is going to come down to one moment, and at this moment in time, I can’t see how Gareth can go into a knockout game at the World Cup with Trent.
“I want this player to be the greatest right back of all time, but at times today he looked like he could have cost Liverpool. I think at the World Cup, he is giving away a penalty today. I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game and that may influence his decision as to whether he goes or not.”
Chelsea ’s James and Manchester City ’s Walker are both currently out with injuries and both are doubts for the World Cup, which England kick off against Iran on November 21. Alexander-Arnold has won 17 caps for England, but has been down the pecking order for some time.
Both Jamie Redknapp and Graeme Souness would take Alexander-Arnold to Qatar if they were manager. “The flip side of it is if you’re struggling, and he is not starting you can bring him on to create a bit of brilliance going forward,” Redknapp said.
“I just don’t see how we can afford to not take a player of that capacity that can produce something so vital in important moments.
“We have got obsessed with right-backs over the years, and Walker and James are under pressure because of their injuries and you have to take a risk. At times today Trent looked like he was in a tumble dryer he was getting thrown around everywhere, but the flipside of it is someone that can do something incredible with the football.”
Souness added: “100 per cent. I understand why there is a nervousness, but you must take him. You have got Iran, USA and Wales – surely England going in there should fear no one. There is not another right-back out there that possesses his qualities. Yes, defensively he is not the best, but you have to take him.”
