- Trent Alexander-Arnold started both of England’s first two group matches
- But Conor Gallagher is expected to feature alongside Declan Rice in Cologne
- LISTEN to It’s All Kicking Off! Are Harry Kane and Declan Rice right to bite back at Gary Lineker’s criticism?
Gareth Southgate will end his muddled England midfield experiment by dropping Trent Alexander-Arnold and starting Conor Gallagher in the final Euro 2024 group game against Slovenia, according to reports.
Alexander-Arnold, a natural right back for Liverpool at club level, was named in Southgate’s starting XI for the victory over Serbia and draw with Denmark but is now expected to drop out of midfield with Gallagher taking his place.
Chelsea‘s Gallagher had replaced Alexander-Arnold during both of the Three Lions’ first group games and The Athletic claim he will get the nod for tomorrow’s match.
Southgate and assistant manager Steve Holland are believed to have worked with Alexander-Arnold over a number of months to prepare him for his unfamiliar role but his displays alongside Declan Rice divided opinion among supporters and pundits.
England lead Group C on four points and will aim to finish top in Cologne.
Southgate had openly taken aim at the lack of balance in his side after the limp stalemate with Denmark and rued the lack of a natural replacement for Kalvin Phillips – a comment Gary Lineker believes was ‘insulting’ to his players.
Thrusting Alexander-Arnold into new territory, Southgate, who withdrew the full back after 54 minutes on Thursday, said the tactical gamble was an ‘experiment’.
‘I wanted to get Conor on; we needed some energy and to press better,’ Southgate admitted post-match. ‘He’s (Alexander-Arnold) had some moments where he’s delivered what we thought he would. We know it’s an experiment.
‘We know we don’t have a natural replacement for Kalvin Philips. We’re trying different things and at the moment we’re not flowing as we’d like.’
But Rice, speaking ahead of the Slovenia match, insisted Alexander-Arnold had the tools needed to play in midfield and hit out at the 25-year-old’s doubters.
‘It’s funny because people were calling for Trent to play in midfield,’ Rice told ITV. ‘Half the country are calling for Trent to play in midfield, and then you play him in midfield, and then you want to bring him down.
‘I don’t get it, I don’t get it at all. I’ll defend all of my boys until the day I never pull on an England shirt. Trent is one of the best players I’ve ever seen.
‘Don’t call for someone to play in a position and then backtrack all because you think he’s had a bad game or something.
‘I’ll tell you now: Trent can play in midfield. I’ve seen it at England, I’ve seen it for Liverpool, he’s unbelievable. That’s what I say to people who say that type of stuff.’
Gallagher’s inclusion is likely to be the only change to England’s side despite Kieran Trippier, who has filled in at left back in Germany, nursing a calf injury.
In a significant boost, Luke Shaw was spotted training with the rest of Southgate’s squad during a training session on Monday after missing the first two games.