Roy Keane warns England against picking ‘really bad’ Liverpool star
As England prepares for their Euro 2024 campaign, much debate surrounds the selection of their midfield trio. Gareth Southgate is expected to pick Declan Rice if he’s fit, with Jude Bellingham also set to start, though his position as either a no.8 or no.10 is yet to be decided.
Southgate might opt for a deeper midfielder alongside Rice, a strategy previously employed with Kalvin Phillips. Alexander-Arnold has been suggested for this role, but Keane strongly disagrees. Despite Alexander-Arnold’s experience as a right-back, Keane remains unimpressed with his defensive capabilities.
The Manchester United icon believes the 25-year-old might perform well in midfield when England is favored to win, but he would struggle significantly against top-quality opponents.
“You can’t play him in there against one of the top teams,” Keane stated on Stick to Football. “One or two of the group matches…but if you play Trent in there against one of the top nations, the defensive side of the game you’re talking about…he can’t defend!”
Keane’s concern extends to any defensive role Alexander-Arnold might play in midfield. When it was suggested that his midfield position could mitigate his defensive weaknesses, Keane was dismissive.
“F**king hell! You have to defend in midfield!” Keane exclaimed. “Defensively, he dangles his leg in, he’s not aggressive in defensive situations. On the ball, he’s lovely, absolutely lovely, but at that level, in knockout games, if Trent’s asked to do a defensive job for England against a really good team…he doesn’t smell danger. I get that he’s higher up the pitch and he’s got that security behind him, but if he plays in there…all the best.”
Despite Alexander-Arnold’s skills with the ball, Keane insists his defensive shortcomings make him unsuitable for a midfield role in high-stakes matches.
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