Gary Lineker accuses Gareth Southgate of 'baffling decision' in England win over Slovakia
Gary Lineker believes Gareth Southgate made a 'baffling decision' during England's narrow 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday night
RESTISFOOTBALL
Gary Lineker believes Gareth Southgate made a 'baffling decision' during England's narrow 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday night.
The Three Lions seemed to be heading home after Ivan Schranz opened the scoring in the 25th minute, with the forward beating Jordan Pickford from close range.
However, a sensational goal from Jude Bellingham dragged England level - with Harry Kane then netting a winner in extra-time.
With England needing something to get back into the fixture, Southgate resisted the urge to make big changes to his side.
Gary Lineker believes Gareth Southgate made a 'baffling decision' during England's narrow 2-1 win over Slovakia on Sunday night
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Cole Palmer was the first to come on, with the Chelsea star introduced for Kieran Trippier in the 66th minute.
Eberechi Eze had to wait until the 84th minute to come on, with Ivan Toney then introduced with just two minutes to go.
Many were astonished by Southgate's decision not to bring on Trent Alexander-Arnold given the creativity the Liverpool star can survive.
And Lineker, speaking to The Rest is Football podcast, finds it baffling the 25-year-old was overlooked.
"I know we won in the end and his lack of changes 'worked', bizarrely," he said.
"But when you've got 20 minutes to go and you're 1-0 down, playing against a team who are trying to defend, to not bring on Trent for Kyle Walker [is baffling].
"You needed the quality, the delivery, the passing, the crossing of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"I mean [the game] was crying it out for it."
Gary Neville said something similar during half time of the contest.
The Manchester United icon, who is working as a pundit for ITV, said it was 'illegal' to leave Alexander-Arnold out.
"Trent Alexander-Arnold, it is illegal that that lad is not playing football in any game like this for England today," he said.
"We cannot have Kyle Walker and Trippier at left and right-back when we're on the ball most of the time.
"That is the kid who is the best football player we have ever seen at right-back, or full-back, in this country.
"He has got to be on the pitch."
Lineker, meanwhile, also said England players looked like 'lost souls' out on the pitch.
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Though they won, significant improvement is required if they're to finally win a major trophy.
Lineker, judging by his comments, doesn't appear convinced that will happen.
"Just look at the quality of the players that England actually have at their disposal," he said.
"But you've got to get something out of them.
"I look at them at the moment and I see a team that's like lost souls.
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"I don't think they really know what they're supposed to be doing, or what their jobs are, or how the team's supposed to be playing.
"I'm sure they have been told but it's whether they've bought into it.
"They're playing in a kind of format or style that is alien to most of them, because most of them play a high press, with dynamic, electric short passing football [for their clubs].
"We've not seen any of that. So I actually feel for the players a little bit."