Robbie Fowler slams Gareth Southgate 'experiment' and sends clear instruction over Liverpool star

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has stated England boss Gareth Southgate should have picked Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back instead of Kyle Walker for England's round of 16 game against Slovakia at Euro 2024.

Alexander-Arnold has struggled to break into the England team ahead of Walke in his natural right-back role. Southgate boldly experimented at the beginning of the tournament by placing the Liverpool man in midfield alongside Declan Rice for the opening two games against Serbia and Denmark.

The move didn't really work, with Alexander-Arnold unable to ping many of his long-range passes due to the player being too far up the pitch.

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Alexander-Arnold was then dropped for the third group stage game against Slovenia, yet England still laboured, showing that playing Alexander-Arnold in midfield wasn't the issue.

Fowler, speaking to The Sunday Mirror , believes that Alexander-Arnold should get the nod ahead of Walker for the game against Slovakia, due to his more attacking presence than the Manchester City right-back.

“The time for trying major experiments and taking major risks isn’t during a major tournament. That’s what the friendlies are for," he said.

“England have been unable to access the flanks because Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka both instinctively come inside so they can get onto their strongest foot.”

Fowler added: “If [Gareth] Southgate is going to persevere with that formation, then he has to get Alexander-Arnold in the team to provide natural width and an attacking threat.”

“No, Trent isn’t as good as Kyle Walker defensively. But the quality of crosses and his passes alone are worth a place in his team."

With Walker instead being given the nod, the most likely scenario is Alexander-Arnold coming off the bench, which is what happened in the dying minutes of the game with Slovenia.

Liverpool.com says: Walker has been Southgate's number one pick at right-back for years, so unless he gets injured, it's doubtful he'll pivot and use Alexander-Arnold in the spot. Sadly, Liverpool fans will have to get used to the site of Alexander-Arnold on the bench for England for the remainder of Euro 2024.