England have started their charge to win Euro 2024 by beating Serbia 1-0 in an unconvincing manner.
Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold started the game, after missing the previous European Championships through injury, whilst Newcastle United captain Kieran Trippier played at left-back.
They aren’t the only Liverpool and Newcastle players picked by Gareth Southgate, with the versatile Joe Gomez also selected and the speed machine, Anthony Gordon.
Gomez, who has had great success as a left-back this season for Liverpool, was an unused substitute, alongside Gordon for England’s Euro 2024 opener.
There is no hiding place for Southgate here and many are expecting him to get the job done this time around and guide England to their first-ever European Championship crown.
But what puts people off is his sleep-walking tactics and some of his decision-making.
That was touched upon by former Scotland international Andy Walker and how he couldn’t understand why Kieran Trippier is being used at left-back, as he told Go Radio.
Walker labelled that call by the England boss as ‘strange’ and why he didn’t just select the next man in line for the left-back spot, which would be Ben Chilwell, but the Chelsea man was left at home.
As for Trent Alexander-Arnold, he was another right-back playing out of position, with Walker once again questioning the tactic and move to use him in midfield.
Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold for England
“They have got the players to win it,” said Walker. “They have got the players in every position. The only thing I would look at. You look at the England goalkeeper and I think he has a mistake in him.
“I don’t understand why Trippier plays left-back. Every other nation, when you have got your number one left-back or right-back and they are injured, you go to your number two. He’s a right-back and he is now playing left-back. It’s a bit strange.
“The other one is Trent Alexander-Arnold. He plays right-back for Liverpool every week and he is now playing in the middle of the park. I think England have got all the players that can win this tournament. But if you don’t get the balance or the chemistry right, then Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands. They will trip you up.”
Should Trent Alexander-Arnold be dropped for England’s Euro 2024 clash against Denmark?
The Liverpool man didn’t have the best of games against Serbia and many are now questioning if he should keep his place in the XI.
Unlike at left-back, where Luke Shaw is still recovering from injury, England have no choice but to play someone out of position in that role.
READ MORE: Frank Lampard makes Diogo Jota claim after Portugal beat Czech Republic at Euro 2024
But Southgate has plenty of options and names to pick from in midfield.
The under-fire Phil Foden can move from the left channel to a midfield role, whilst Chelsea’s Cole Palmer can also play as a ten and then there is the more defensive option of Conor Gallagher.
The post ‘A bit strange’: Scottish pundit baffled by what's happening to Newcastle & Liverpool duo at Euro 2024 appeared first on HITC.
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