Gareth Southgate responds to Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane after brutal Trent Alexander-Arnold digs

England manager Gareth Southgate has robustly defended Trent Alexander-Arnold amid criticism over the Liverpool star's potential midfield role for England at Euro 2024.

The likes of Manchester United icons Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, Roy Keane, and ex-Everton boss Sam Allardyce have questioned the Reds' vice-captain's suitability for a central position with the national team.

Rooney, speaking on The Overlap, was particularly blunt: "Defensively, he's all over the place. He can't defend. I wouldn't have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch."

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Keane, speaking on ITV, expressed doubts about Alexander-Arnold's ability to cope in midfield against top-tier opposition: "It's against the real top teams I think he'll be found out. I think he'll be ripped to shreds if he plays against one of the better teams in central midfield."

Southgate, however, remains undeterred by such comments, asserting his belief that Alexander-Arnold has the makings of an 'incredibly special' midfielder for England.

"Everybody's more than entitled to opinions, so that's our world, we have to accept that," Southgate acknowledged. "Then we have to go and show what we can do.

"I'm really happy. I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It's something he's been really keen to do.

"He's been really receptive to feedback and every bit of information. We know he can be a really special player. Equally, we know it's not something he's been doing for the last five years.

"There is an element of the unknown to it. But I think it's an opportunity that's worth grasping because he could be something incredibly special."

Meanwhile, the England manager told ITV: "We think he can offer something we don't have, he can give the team a different dimension and he's been diligent in understanding the role. He has as good a passing range as anyone in world football really.

"He's been invested in learning and understanding all aspects of the game in that role and I've enjoyed working with him on that project in the last 12 months. His mentality and attitude have been absolutely first class."

England's Euro 2024 campaign gets underway against Serbia on Sunday night, with Alexander-Arnold expected to start in midfield alongside Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham.

Liverpool.com says: It is incredible how Southgate is giving the pundits exactly what they've been crying out for for years now, and yet they've suddenly decided that Alexander-Arnold can't play in midfield. Make your minds up!

For our money, Alexander-Arnold should be the first-choice right-back, but at least Southgate is actually making an effort to get him in the team. Quite how people can be against playing one of the most talented players in the country is simply absurd.

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.