ENGLAND fans have slammed Gary Neville for saying Trent Alexander-Arnold SHOULD have been brought on against the USA.
The Three Lions were held to a drab 0-0 draw by their transatlantic cousins in Qatar on Friday night.
And the result served as a warning to supporters still revelling in Monday’s 6-2 victory over Iran.
Gareth Southgate kept his cards close to his chest against the Americans, using just three of his five available subs.
The likes of Phil Foden and Callum Wilson were left on the bench despite England’s struggles in front of goal.
But pundit Neville believes Liverpool ace Alexander-Arnold should have been given the nod on Friday evening.
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That’s despite being a vocal critic of his fellow right-back in the past.
And England fans have now hit out at Neville for changing his tune just WEEKS after claiming Southgate “could not trust” Alexander-Arnold in Qatar.
Neville said after the match: “I’m torn a little bit because I’ve got huge respect for Gareth Southgate and what he’s achieved – he’s achieved more than any manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.
“But we’ve got a couple of talents there sat on the bench in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Phil Foden, who in terms of opening up a game…
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“Trent’s got one of the best deliveries you’ll ever see from a full-back.
“Those two on the bench… you’re a little disappointed in the sense that you’re trying to win a game, they’re world class talents.
“I think Gareth’s worried about [Trent] defensively, but if we’re not confident of playing him against the USA when we need a goal…
“Other countries like Spain, Brazil, France would have Trent and Foden in their starting XIs.
“I understand it a bit watching Trent defend but in a game like that where we lack creativity, you think ‘those two players should be in there’.”
This caused fans to lash out online, with one saying: “The audacity of Neville calling for Trent to be played.
More U-turns than Boris Johnson
England fan
“He spent four years denigrating him, and more than any person has created the mythical ‘understanding’ Trent is an awful defender.”
Another wrote: “Neville now saying Trent should have come on. Hmm more U-turns that Boris Johnson.”
One declared: “Neville spent six months telling us Trent shouldn’t be in squad but now moaning he isn’t playing!”
Another added: “Neville’s flip flopping over Trent is embarrassing at this point.”
Just this month, Neville said about Trent Alexander-Arnold: “It’s a really tough one because his brilliance going forward is out of this world.
“How are England going to win or lose in the World Cup? It is going to come down to one moment, and at this moment in time, I can’t see how Gareth can go into a knockout game at the World Cup with Trent.
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“I want this player to be the greatest right back of all time, but at times today, he looked like he could have cost Liverpool.
“I think at the World Cup, he is giving away a penalty. I don’t think Gareth will trust him in a knockout game and that may influence his decision as to whether he goes or not.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
