Gary Neville has claimed that Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of England’s most respected footballers overseas.
Trent heads home from this year’s World Cup having made one, 25-minute substitute appearance. A paltry return for someone as ridiculously gifted as the 24-year-old. Regardless of that, Neville namechecked Alexander-Arnold as being an English player that opposing teams ‘really respect.’
“I can see now that English players are respected. International players really respect the likes of [Jude] Bellingham, [Phil] Foden, [Jack] Grealish, [Trent] Alexander-Arnold and other players in that position. I think that’s been designed by a very good system in the last 10 years and I think it’s right that we try wherever possible to promote English coaches moving forward,” the pundit told Sky Sports.
This is undoubtedly true from someone who has been a critic of the Liverpool man in the past. Trent has been one of the best players in his position over the last five years. He’s won the lot already. Put some respect on his name.
Trent still looking for England respect
The history books will not be kind to Gareth Southgate. Not in Liverpool, anyway. Mr Southgate saw fit to use one of his best players for less than half an hour throughout the whole tournament in Qatar. Simply astounding.
Even with England chasing the game in the quarter-final against France, the manager didn’t think to use one of his most lethal weapons.
Alexander-Arnold’s passing has unlocked some of the very finest teams in each and every land. And yet, Southgate didn’t think that this was relevant enough to give him some minutes.
Trent would perhaps be better off staying at home if he gets another call-up from the England boss. There’s no use in wasting time sitting on the bench.
For players of other country’s, it must also be somewhat bemusing. Many of these professionals have been tied up in knots from Alexander-Arnold’s other-worldly passing at one time or another for their clubs.
It must be a head-scratcher for them not to see his name on the team sheet, while other, less celebrated names like Harry Maguire continue to be trotted out.
So, while Neville is surely right here, it seems that Trent’s reputation is far better overseas than it is here. Cafu recently said that the Liverpool right-back would be a shoo-in for the Brazil XI and stated his bemusement at his lack of playing time for England.
It’s not too much of a stretch to say that the Scouser would be getting in every other international team in the world. Until England get a new coach, they’ll likely remain the odd one out.
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