Manchester United legend claims Liverpool ace shouldn't be trusted for England at Euro 2024

Former Manchester United and England forward Teddy Sheringham has claimed England should not start Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield at Euro 2024.

England are set to face Serbia in their first game of the campaign on June 16 and there is a real possibility that Alexander-Arnold will be partnering Declan Rice. His recent form has seen him build momentum and Gareth Southgate’s lack of clarity in midfield has opened the door for the Liverpool star.

He starred in the friendly win over Bosnia playing the most passes, creating the most chances and managing the most long balls as well as getting on the scoresheet, but some aren’t convinced he can play there once the tournament begins. One of those doubters is former England striker Sheringham, who told TG Casino that the defender shouldn’t start in midfield. “I think Southgate is in danger of shoehorning players into the wrong positions,” he said. “I know Trent Alexander-Arnold can pick out a pass, but it’s not the be all and end all of playing in midfield. I wouldn’t play him there, personally. I think you’ve already got a right-back playing on the left, a new centre-half, so to have a right-back playing in midfield says that the midfielders aren’t good enough. “I’d be very surprised if he did start the game against Serbia there – I’d prefer him at right-back and then finding himself in midfield like he does so well at Liverpool. There’s a big difference between starting there and finding your way there. Ben Chilwell will be very disappointed that he hasn’t made the 26-player squad – he is a natural left-back that does things that left-backs do.”

Alexander-Arnold has 25 caps for England and, having missed the previous Euros through injury, he will be motivated to make his mark this time around. However, he will be competing with the likes of Conor Gallagher, Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo for a starting place.