Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney agree on Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold as England call made

Gareth Southgate has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will line up for England in their European Championship opener against Serbia despite criticism from both Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane.

Ignoring advice from the former Manchester United pair about Alexander-Arnold's perceived defensive vulnerabilities, the Three Lions boss is seemingly ready to place the Liverpool man in the centre of the park regardless.

Weighing in on the scrutiny, initially from Rooney, Southgate said: "Everybody's more than entitled to opinion. That's our world and we have to accept it - but then we have to go and show what we can do," adding: "I spoke to Trent about playing in this role over a year ago. It's something he's been really keen to do."

READ MORE: I was absolutely disgusted by what Liverpool manager did to me

READ MORE: Klopp ally lands first job back in football

Rooney is one of many to have questioned the call heading into the tournament though. Speaking on the Overlap he said: "I think he'll go with Trent. I think he's probably the most gifted player with the ball at his feet we've got.

"Defensively, he's all over the place. He can't defend. I wouldn't have him anywhere near the middle of the pitch. I'd have no problem with playing him here [at right-back].

"I think in here [midfield], I wouldn't have him anywhere near there. And I love Trent, actually. I think on the ball, the stuff he can do, no one else can do it." Rooney then predicted that against better opposition later on in the tournament a change would be needed.

"100%, [if] we go into the quarter-finals and we're playing France, Trent is not playing in midfield," he said. "For me, I don't think Gareth trusts him enough to play him in midfield. And he has his doubts, the same way I do, about playing midfield.

"That's when you're going to see [Conor] Gallagher or [Kobbie] Mainoo in there. I don't think he trusts Trent defensively, which I think he's right to. In the games where you think you're going to dominate possession, I think you probably will see him in there."

Alexander-Arnold was used in a hybrid midfield role at Liverpool during the second half of the 2022/23 season, which coincided with an impressive turnaround for Jurgen Klopp, but the former Reds manager has previously hit out at the use of Alexander-Arnold in midfield.

Roy Keane agrees with Rooney though. Speaking on ITV he said: "I think they'll be fine in the group stage. I think Trent's position will be fine in those matches, but 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." The former midfielder then added: "It's all about getting the balance right in your team.

"They've got some brilliant individuals, we've mentioned that many times before. Four or five players who would walk into any team at this tournament, but it's getting that balance right.

"They have players who can go and win you football matches, but the problem is defending against the really better teams."

Alexander-Arnold is expected to partner with Declan Rice in the midfield with Southgate seemingly swayed by the 25-year-old's passing prowess and set-piece expertise, suggesting that the move is a gamble he's willing to take.

Accordingly, Phil Foden is set to be positioned out on the left flank despite his central successes at Manchester City, while Jude Bellingham is anticipated to support frontman Harry Kane.

Captain Kane is eagerly anticipating Alexander-Arnold's contribution to the team, highlighting his exceptional passing skills. Kane remarked: "Trent has shown his abilities over many seasons now. That's from right-back or dropping into that midfield role.

"He's got amazing delivery from wide areas, amazing vision with his passes - and I think as a striker you can only love that if you are making runs there is someone there looking for you."

"You might not always get the ball but it's always important that the midfielders and the strikers have that connection, where you are willing to make the runs because they have the ability to put the ball in behind."