"I do feel for him" - Gary Lineker believes England star has been 'hung out to dry' by Gareth Southgate ahead of Slovenia Euro 2024 clash
Former England striker-turned-television-pundit Gary Lineker has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold has been 'hung out to dry' by Gareth Southgate. The Three Lions have been underwhelming at Euro 2024 so far, although they have already secured qualification to the knockout stages.
England started their Euro 2024 campaign with a narrow 1-0 win against Serbia before settling for a 1-1 draw against Denmark. They are set to take on Slovenia in their final group-stage game of the Euros on Tuesday, June 25.
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a player who has received plenty of criticism for his showings in the Euros so far. The creative right-back has been used by Southgate in midfield and has struggled to impress.
Gary Lineker defended the Liverpool vice-captain, opining that he has been hung out to dry by his manager. He insisted that it is not easy to play in a new role, especially with the whole team struggling. Lineker said, as quoted by Metro:
"I do feel a bit for Trent Alexander-Arnold. 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."
The former England attacker added:
"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."
Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a stellar season for Liverpool last time out, scoring thrice and producing nine assists in 37 games across competitions. He is reportedly set to be replaced by Chelsea's Conor Gallagher in the starting lineup against Slovenia.
England manager Gareth Southgate responds to criticism from Gary Lineker ahead of Euro 2024 clash against Slovenia
England manager Gareth Southgate has responded to pundit Gary Lineker's criticism ahead of his side's clash against Slovenia at Euro 2024. Southgate has received plenty of criticism for the Three Lions' poor showings in the Euros so far, with Lineker being one of his biggest critics.
Southgate claimed he was oblivious to criticism and that he was his own biggest critic. The 53-year-old said, as quoted by Goal:
"That's the world we're in. I'm oblivious to it, it's not important to me at all. 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."
Southgate added:
"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. That's how you coach a team and improve performance."
While England have already secured their place in the knockout stages of Euro 2024, they need to improve significantly if they are to have a tournament to remember. They finished runners-up to Italy in Euro 2020 and will be looking to go a step further this time out and win the elusive trophy for the first time in their history.