Gary Lineker has targeted Gareth Southgate for ‘hanging Trent Alexander-Arnold out to dry’, with the BBC Match of the Day presenter expressing his condolences to the Liverpool star over his ‘experiment’ in midfield.
Southgate has opted to deploy the Reds defender in an advanced position alongside Declan Rice in both of England’s opening two Euro 2024 matches – a tactical ploy that has attracted widespread criticism.
Although Alexander-Arnold was statistically England’s most creative midfielder during the 1-1 draw with Denmark, the 25-year-old’s experiment in midfield has drawn criticism – with reports now emerging from The Athletic that Alexander-Arnold Arnold ‘could be dropped for Conor Gallagher’ for England’s final group stage match against Slovenia on Tuesday.
“I feel a bit for Trent Alexander-Arnold,” said the BBC Match of the Day pundit BBC’s Euros Extra show on Monday.
Gary Lineker (pictured) has claimed Gareth Southgate ‘hung Trent Alexander-Arnold out to dry’
The England boss (left) has opted to play the Liverpool star (right) in midfield during the opening matches of the 2024 European Championship in England
“I feel like it’s been hung out to dry a little bit. His manager has said he is an experiment and now it looks like an experiment that isn’t working.
‘It’s very difficult to play in a new position, even if a team is playing well.
“But when a team is struggling and a team is disjointed and not together and not getting on the field, it becomes very difficult.
‘I feel for him because he is an incredibly talented player.’
More to follow…