Roy Keane disagrees with Gary Neville over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role in the England team… as he insists the Liverpool star ‘can’t defend’ and would be ‘WORRIED’ with him playing in midfield

Roy Keane and Gary Neville have come to blows over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role in the England team.

The Liverpool star was selected in Gareth Southgate’s provisional 33-man squad for Euro 2024 and is seen as a certainty to make the final.

Alexander-Arnold was on the England team’s announced list as a midfielder, with Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate testing the 25-year-old in central position on a number of occasions heading into this summer’s tournament.

Manchester United legends Keane and Neville debated whether Liverpool’s vice-captain is good enough to play in midfield for England against the bigger nations, as they spoke on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky bet.

Keane said: ‘You can’t play him there against one of the top teams. In one or two of the group games you can get away with it, but if you play Trent there against one of the best countries, he can’t defend.

Gary Neville (left) and Roy Keane (right) disagreed over Arnold’s role in the Three Lions team

Keane said he would worry about England against bigger sides if Alexander-Arnold (right) played in midfield

“I think (Declan) Rice has enough on him, he’s played a lot of games, I wouldn’t have a problem with Rice as your option, the incumbent role. I would still be concerned as a two-man midfielder. I think against the real top teams – France or Germany, whatever it may be, in the knockout games – if you play Trent there he can do that. t defend.

‘In midfield you have to defend in midfield. Defensively, he dangles his leg inwards. Look back at Everton’s game, he is not aggressive in defensive situations.

‘On the ball I love him, I absolutely love him, but at that level we are talking about, the knockout games, England will obviously come through the group, but the knockout games, if Trent comes in and is asked to do a defensive job for England against a very good team (he’s going to have a tough time).”

His former Manchester United teammate and fellow Sky Sport pundit Neville said he sees it ‘differently’ to Keane.

He said: ‘The reason for this is that Declan Rice will play here (deeper on the left), Trent Alexander-Arnold will play here (slightly higher in right midfield) and Jude Bellingham here (further forward). But because Kyle Walker is in that right channel, Alexander-Arnold has the cover behind him in John Stones and Walker.”

Keane continued to make his case, insisting the 25-year-old ‘cannot smell danger’ in defensive situations.

He said: ‘I have no problem with a player who isn’t bad at defending, but I watch every game he plays for Liverpool, whether he’s at right-back or in midfield, and Trent Alexander-Arnold doesn’t smell any danger.

‘I understand that if you put him in midfield, he is higher on the pitch and has security behind him, but as a defender you don’t want players running at you all the time. They can get away with it against the lesser teams, but if he plays there (defensively), then that is the best.’

Gareth Southgate has tried out Alexander-Arnold in midfield after struggling to find a place for him at right-back in recent years

Alexander-Arnold is a player who has divided many in recent years when it comes to his place in England.

The Liverpool right-back is one of the most creative players in the Premier League, and few can match him for his passing ability.

However, his defensive shortcomings have been a regular topic of conversation and have affected his chances of becoming a regular in the England starting XI.

Southgate struggled to find a place for him at right-back, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James providing stiff competition.

Alexander-Arnold was named as a midfielder on the England team announcement list for the provisional squad

The England boss has regularly tested Alexander-Arnold in midfield, a position where the player feels comfortable.

He told the Athletic: ‘It depends on the manager. I had good conversations with the English manager. A manager tells you how he wants you to play and you go out and play that role.

‘I have evolved year after year and come to the center more than ever. I like being on the ball in the middle of the field and making things happen. Whether I start in that role or go in when we have the ball, it doesn’t matter to me. I just want to play.’

When asked if he wanted to be in a Number 8 or 6 role, he added: ‘Really. I can play a pass, I can receive the ball, I can do things with the ball. It’s more about what the manager wants to see from me defensively, whether he wants to see me stand out or be a little more protective.’

Neville and Keane spoke on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky bet.