Gary Neville can not believe that Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is sitting on the bench for England at the European Championship.
Alexander-Arnold started on the bench for the second match in a row against Slovakia after starting the Three Lions opening two fixtures in central midfield next to Arsenal s Declan Rice.
Manager Gareth Southgate admitted that playing natural right-back Alexander-Arnold in midfield was an experiment , which is a bold strategy at a major tournament.
Said experiment failed as the Liverpool star looked out of his depth and was replaced in the starting XI by Chelsea vice-captain Conor Gallagher.
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Gallagher only lasted 45 minutes in England s third match of Euro 2024 against Slovenia and his replacement Kobbie Mainoo started on Sunday against Slovakia.
Southgate has always been very reluctant to play Alexander-Arnold at full-back and has opted against doing so despite Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier looking out of sorts.
Natural right-back Trippier has started on the left side of defence and has been poor, while Walker has disappointed.
It will be interesting to see if Southgate brings in Alexander-Arnold for the quarter-final against Switzerland and former England defender Neville is adamant he must be on the pitch.
Neville argued at half-time during the Slovakia win that keeping him on the bench is illegal as he is the best football player we’ve ever seen at full-back in this country .
“Trent Alexander-Arnold, it is illegal that lad is not playing football in a game like this for England,” he said.
“We can’t have Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier at left and right-back when we’re on the ball most of the time.
“That kid is the best football player we’ve ever seen at full-back in this country. He has got to be on the pitch.”
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England fell behind to Slovakia after 26 minutes and did not equalise until the 95th minute when Jude Bellingham popped up with an overhead kick.
Harry Kane s goal two minutes into extra time was enough to send England into the last eight of Euro 2024.
“Relief is the word of the day,” Neville said after the game.
