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Roy Keane and Gary Neville reignite Trent Alexander-Arnold Liverpool feud

Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville (left) and Roy Keane
Sky Sports pundits Gary Neville (left) and Roy Keane -Credit:Stick to Football


Roy Keane has slammed Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold for his defensive capabilities as he disagreed with Gary Neville over his position in England's European Championships squad.

The Liverpool full-back was one of four members of the squad that were rewarded for their fine form by Gareth Southgate. Joe Gomez continued a formidable campaign with a call-up, while Jarell Quansah and Curtis Jones have both been included in the senior squad for the first time.

Alexander-Arnold often courts criticism and conversation for his defensive capabilities at right-back, despite praise for his technique on the ball and prowess attacking down the right. Pep Lijnders championed for the Liverpool academy graduate to be deployed in an inverted full-back role, eventually persuading manager Jurgen Klopp, which has proven to be a success, transforming both the Reds and the England international.

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The debate rages over Alexander-Arnold's position at Anfield and in the England squad, whether he is a viable right-back option or if he should be a midfielder, having rose through the academy ranks in the position.

Speaking on the latest Stick to Football podcast, Keane said: "I'd still be worried as a two (Alexander-Arnold with Declan Rice). Against the real top teams over there; France, Germany, the knockout games - if you're playing Trent in there, defensively... he can't defend. Really bad.

"You have to defend in midfield - with cover. Defensively, he dangles a leg, I look back to the Everton game he's not aggressive enough in situations. On the ball and all that, lovely. At that level, in the knockout games if Trent is in there and asked to do a defensive job for England against a good team..."

Neville interjected disagreeing with Keane, predicting a more prominent role in the England side as a midfielder. He said: "I see it differently to you Roy, the reason being Rice will play here, and Trent will play here and Bellingham here or something (midfield three).

"Kyle Walker will be in that channel, it will leave Saka a little higher, I think he has got the cover behind him with Stones and Walker there."

But Keane argued: "That's fine, that's your opinion. “That’s fine, that’s your opinion, I disagree with it. I think defensively, I don’t mind someone who is not bad at defending, but the defensive side of his game, I watch him closely every week, whether he’s at right-back or in midfield, he doesn’t smell danger."