Gary Neville, Jamie Redknapp and Jamie Carragher clashed when discussing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role for England at the World Cup.
The Liverpool star is widely regarded as one of the best full-backs in world football but has never been able to replicate that form on the international stage.
Alexander-Arnold was left out of the matchday squad for September’s Nations League game against Germany, but an injury to Reece James secured the Reds right-back’s place in the 26-man squad for Qatar.
Discussing their respective lineups for the first game of the World Cup against Iran on Monday, Neville was the only one of four pundits, also including Karen Carney, to start Alexander-Arnold at right wing-back.
Asked which England players are ‘generational talents’, Neville said: “I think Foden is that, Bellingham is that and I think, although we talk about him a lot, Trent Alexander-Arnold is that. If you look at what he is in his position, there’s nothing like it in terms of delivery.
“Playing him as a right wing-back gives you the opportunity to get him into the team, you’d never play him at right-back, I don’t think, in a knockout game for England.
“But he may, if he starts that tournament well, and you’ve got Walker or White behind him in that channel they do get out there comfortably.”
Redknapp: “With Trent, he’s played won Champions League finals, he’s won big games.”
Neville: “Jamie, you’ve not even picked him to play Iran in the first game.”
Redknapp: “Yeah I know, I’m just saying…”
Neville: “I’m the only one who’s picked him.”
Redknapp: “Yeah at right wing-back. Then you’re saying he can’t play in big games.”
Neville: “All three [Karen Carney, Jamie Reknapp and Jamie Carragher] haven’t picked him [Trent Alexander-Arnold] against Iran, I don’t think I should be questioned if he doesn’t play in a knockout game.”
Redknapp: “It’s more you’re saying… he’s played in so many big games that young man.”
Neville: “Jamie, I’m obsessed with watching full-backs so if I’m watching Reece James and he’s fit, Reece James plays at right wing-back at this moment in time. I think he’s fantastic, he has both assets to his game.
“The way England and Gareth think, they’re not going to dominate the game that much against the top teams, we build from a defensive base, Trent will have to defend more than he does for Liverpool.
“These three haven’t picked him in their team to…
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