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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Stephen Killen & Charlotte Coates

Gary Neville makes u-turn over Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold after England draw

Gary Neville believes Trent Alexander-Arnold would start for Spain, Brazil and France despite failing to play a single minute for England at the World Cup so far.

Alexander-Arnold sat on the bench, alongside Manchester City star Phil Foden, as England drew 0-0 with USA in what was a lacklustre performance from Gareth Southgate's side.

Neville may have been calling for Alexander-Arnold to be used by Southgate in the draw with USA, but that wasn't always the case as the former Manchester United defender had questioned the Liverpool right-back for his defending.

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After the draw, Neville highlighted how he doesn't think Southgate 'trusts' Alexander-Arnold defensively. He explained: "I think he’s worried about him defensively.

"If we’re not confident of playing him when we’re playing USA, who had a comfortable third game when we were going to play the whole of the bench. We haven’t got that now and that’s fine, no panic here. Other nations, France, Spain, Brazil would have Trent Alexander-Arnold and Foden in their starting 11.

"I understand it from watching it a little bit having watched Trent Alexander-Arnold, you see a game of that where we lack creativity - you think them two players should really be in there.

"I’m torn because I’ve got a lot of respect for Gareth and what he’s achieved - he’s achieved the most since Alf Ramsey. But we’ve got a couple of talents sat on the bench in the form of Trent Alexander-Arnold and Foden who are capable of opening up the game.

"Alexander-Arnold has some of the best deliveries you’ll ever see from full-back and on that right side when Rashford came on, he had Henderson and Trippier so he was blocked from getting that delivery in.

"I think those two coming off the bench is a little bit disappointing, if you’re trying to win the game they’re world class talents."

But, this has not always been Neville's tune after he slammed Alexander-Arnold for his performance in Liverpool's win away at Tottenham at the start of November.

"He does rash things and I think he is giving away a penalty in a World Cup," said Neville. "I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game and he already has four brilliant right-backs."

And in October, Neville said: “I think Trent has got to work on his defending. I said it two or three years ago. I thought his lack of seriousness in his defending, his lack of alertness, at some point in his career will hold him back.”

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