England star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been 'hung out to dry' by Gareth Southgate ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 showdown with Slovenia, according to Gary Lineker.
Alexander-Arnold has endured a difficult start to the tournament so far, with the Liverpool star struggling in matches with Serbia and Denmark.
He is widely expected to be dropped for tonight's match with Slovenia, with England looking to top their group.
Conor Gallagher, Kobbie Mainoo and Adam Wharton are all alternatives for Southgate, who previously said he was using Alexander-Arnold in midfield as an 'experiment' in the absence of Kalvin Phillips. Gallagher, at the time of writing, is the favourite to come into the side.
Euro 2024: England star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been 'hung out to dry' by Gareth Southgate ahead of tonight's Euro 2024 showdown with Slovenia, according to Gary Lineker
BBC
Lineker has now reacted to the news that Alexander-Arnold is set to be benched for tonight's clash at the Cologne Stadium.
And the 63-year-old, speaking on the BBC's Euros Extra show on Monday, has now condemned Southgate for his treatment of the 25-year-old.
"I do feel a bit for Trent Alexander-Arnold," he said.
"I feel like he’s been hung out to dry a little bit. His manager’s said he’s an experiment and now it looks like an experiment that doesn’t work.
"It’s very hard to play in a new position even when a team’s playing well.
"But when a team’s struggling and a team’s disjointed and not together and not getting up the pitch it becomes very difficult.
"I do feel for him because he’s an unbelievably talented player."
Wayne Rooney has also reacted, with the new Plymouth boss making his feelings on the matter clear.
He admits he's been critical of Alexander-Arnold and his performances in Germany so far this summer.
But Rooney thinks dropping the Liverpool star is the right call, while also insisting Jude Bellingham should drop deeper in order for Phil Foden to play in his natural No 10 position.
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"Yeah, I’ve been quite critical of Trent," Rooney said.
"I love Trent as a player as a full-back or as a right-back coming in at the right time but I think to play him in the middle of the pitch in international football, it’s so different to playing as a full-back.
"I’ve said it many times, I wouldn’t have played him there. But he’s [Southgate] got [Kobbie] Mainoo, he’s got [Adam] Wharton.
"For me, I play Jude [Bellingham] in the middle next to [Declan] Rice and you get your width with [Anthony] Gordon and [Phil] Foden."
Lineker has been critical of England, branding the Three Lions 's**t' after their recent 1-1 draw with Denmark.
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Euro 2024: England star Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be dropped by Gareth Southgate for tonight's clash with Slovenia
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Yet Southgate insists he's drowning out any negativity from outside, while also claiming he's 'oblivious' to the criticism he's been receiving.
"That's the world we're in. I'm oblivious to it, it's not important to me at all," he said when asked about Lineker's comments.
"What's important to me is I guide this group of players through the tournament.
"We're a high-profile team. I'm very comfortable with that life.
"I don't need to listen to externals because I am my own biggest critic and I think most of the players are as well.
Euro 2024: England will top their group if they beat Slovenia tonight
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"That's how you coach a team and improve performance."
England last faced Slovenia back in 2017, with Harry Kane scoring a dramatic late winner at Wembley.
Kane is expected to start tonight, despite being replaced by Ollie Watkins in the 1-1 draw with Denmark on Thursday night.
