Roy Keane shares what he thinks England simply cannot do with Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold at Euro 2024

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Liverpool will be very well represented at Euro 2024, with several first-team players set to play for their nations this summer.

Many preliminary squads are currently being announced, with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Diogo Jota called up by the Netherlands and Portugal respectively.

Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch have also been selected alongside Van Dijk, with Dominik Szoboszlai getting the nod from Hungary.

England manager Gareth Southgate is now among the latest bosses to name his preliminary squad for the upcoming major tournament.

And it is Liverpool heavy, with Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones all included.

Roy Keane and Gary Neville disagree over Alexander-Arnold

Gomez and Quansah have been named as defenders, but Alexander-Arnold joins Liverpool teammate Jones as a midfielder on the list.

That decision from Southgate has been backed by ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who would like to see him play in midfield this summer.

But Neville’s former Red Devils teammate Roy Keane is not in agreement, with the latter believing the Liverpool right-back is not fit for the task.

“All the best,” Keane said on Stick to Football after Neville’s suggestion. “You can’t play him in there against one of the top teams.

“In one or two of the group matches you might get away with it but if you play Trent in there against one of the top nations, defensive side of the game, which you are talking about. He can’t defend!”

Liverpool star can prove the doubters wrong for England

England boss Southgate has previously opted to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, with the Reds star certainly impressing.

He boasts plenty of experience in the position thanks to his inverted full-back role at Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp in more recent times.

There is, however, the very real possibility that a midfield position simply won’t be available under Southgate this summer.

As is the case with every position in the Three Lions squad, competition for places is fierce, and Alexander-Arnold is not even guaranteed a starting right-back spot, never mind one in midfield.

The likes of Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Man United’s Kobbie Mainoo will all be eyeing a key role.

Arsenal’s Declan Rice, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham and Manchester City’s Phil Foden meanwhile are all already very high up in the midfield pecking order.