Thanks Gary Lineker, but you're the exact problem with Trent Alexander-Arnold's England snub

So, England is through to the knockout stages of Euro 2024. Rather inevitably though, it’s been a bit of a chore for the pre-tournament favorites.

Having labored to a 1-0 win in their opening game against Serbia, the Three Lions were fortunate to hold on to a 1-1 draw against Denmark, with their progress to the knockout stages secured before a ball was even kicked against Slovenia after Italy’s draw with Croatia in Group B.

That’s not enough for many though, and the scapegoat was clear from the moment England arrived in Germany. Trent Alexander-Arnold has been harshly criticized for a situation that was forced upon him by Gareth Southgate, leading to him being dropped for the final group game on Tuesday.

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Yes, his time in midfield hasn’t gone to plan, but name any England player that actually covered themselves in any sort of glory during those first two games. Dropping the Liverpool vice-captain though was the easiest option for Southgate, so inevitably he took it.

The likes of Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney are probably feeling somewhat smug now, having rallied so vehemently against Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield. Gary Lineker though provided a more sympathetic outlook.

"I do feel a bit for Trent Alexander-Arnold," Lineker said on the BBC's Euros Extra show. "It’s very hard to play in a new position even when a team’s playing well.

“But when a team’s struggling and a team’s disjointed, not together and not getting up the pitch, it becomes very difficult. I do feel for him because he’s an unbelievably talented player."

That’s all well and good Gary. The problem is, you’ve been part of the problem for years.

The Match of the Day host has been one of the loudest when it’s come to calls for Alexander-Arnold to move into midfield. Just a few months ago in fact, he was still banging that drum.

Any Liverpool fan living in the UK might remember how the aftermath of the Reds’ FA Cup win over Arsenal back in January was dominated by Lineker leading a discussion over the academy graduate’s position, as if we hadn’t heard the exact same thing countless times.

Is it any wonder then that the idea of Alexander-Arnold playing in midfield became a reality, despite Jurgen Klopp consistently arguing against it? One of the best managers in the world called him the ‘best right-back in the world’, yet a number of high-profile pundits thought they knew better.

The result of that tedious argument is one of England’s most talented players is now probably going to spend the rest of this summer’s tournament sat on the bench. A player who has been instrumental in his club being crowned English, European and world champions over the years, and won plenty of other trophies, and yet he can’t go a game without his performances being forensically analyzed, looking for any hint of a flaw.

Alexander-Arnold should have been left to continue producing world-class performances from right-back without constant calls for him to be moved. Lineker might well feel sorry for him, but he also probably owes him an apology for his part in that debate.