Martin Keown has revealed that he wants England manager Gareth Southgate to start Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold at the World Cup.
The BBC pundit shared that there was no better way for England to start a new era by playing the 19-year-old right-back in Russia this summer.
Keown claimed that Alexander-Arnold was competing with Tottenham’s Kieran Trippier for a starting place at the World Cup, but insisted the Reds defender had the edge as he still looking raring to go.
“This squad feels like a new beginning,” wrote Keown for his Daily Mail column.
“What better way to signal the start of a new era than by playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in the first game against Tunisia?
“If Kyle Walker is used as a centre back, either the Liverpool defender or Kieran Trippier will play at right wing-back.
“Gareth Southgate is not afraid to prioritise form over experience, while Trippier has seemed tired in the final few weeks of the season, Alexander-Arnold looks as if he is running mid-race.”
“We make too much of the gulf in class for young players. Alexander-Arnold is only 19, yet could be lining up against Real Madrid in a Champions League final.
“If he is good enough to play in the biggest match in club football, why can’t he start at the World Cup?”
OPINION
Hopefully Southgate reads Keown’s column as it would be simply fantastic if Alexander-Arnold starts for England at the World Cup. The teenager has done more than enough in his 32 outings for the Reds this season to warrant kick starting a new era for his nation. Alexander-Arnold has shown maturity beyond his years and even when playing in high-pressure games in the Champions League hasn’t made careless mistakes out of being scared of the occasion. In fact, there have been times this season where the teen defender has looked more reassured compared to his experienced teammates. Keown goes on in his column to drool over Alexander-Arnold’s ability to bounce back from failure as after failing to cope with Leroy Sane in March, he was able to keep the attacker quiet when he faced him again. It’s hard to argue with Keown’s admiration for that aspect of the teenager’s game as it was a remarkable transformation. However it’s more interesting that the pundit thinks Alexander-Arnold looks fresher than Spurs’ Trippier as the Spurs defender has actually featured in three more games than his teenage rival this season.
