Manchester United legend, Gary Neville, believes Liverpool right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive vulnerabilities could cost England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Neville believes Alexander-Arnold has the qualities to become the greatest right-back in the world, but all of that attributes are outweighed by glaring defensive errors, which could affect his World Cup inclusion.
With England head coach Gareth Southgate naming his 2022 FIFA World Cup squad on Thursday, it remains unclear whether Alexander-Arnold will be on the plane to Qatar.
“It is a really tough one with [Trent] Alexander-Arnold,” Neville told Sky Sports after Liverpool defeated Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 in a Premier League tie on Sunday. “His brilliance going forward is out of this world.
“But we’re talking about knockout football. Whether England wins or loses in a World Cup is going to be down to moments. A mistake – concentration. At this moment in time, I can’t see how Gareth can go into a knockout game in a World Cup playing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“I want this player to be the greatest right-back of all time because he has got the ability to do that. But at times at Tottenham, he looked like he could cost Liverpool dearly.
“In a World Cup, I think he is giving away a penalty [for his challenge on Sessegnon]. I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game. Which means, will he then take him? If he has got four brilliant right-backs, will he go?”