Gary Lineker insists Trent Alexander-Arnold is the ‘BEST attacking full-back in the world’ and losing him is a big blow for England as fans fear Gareth Southgate’s men now CAN’T win the Euros after the Liverpool star was ruled out through injury
Gary Lineker has reacted to England’s injury ‘blow’ after Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to pull out of Gareth Southgate’s squad, with fans fearful of the Three Lions’ chances of winning the Euros this summer.
The nation collectively took a deep breath on Wednesday night after the Liverpool full back hobbled off with a muscular problem in the dying moments of England’s 1-0 win over Austria at the Riverside.
England boss Southgate pleaded for calm heads after the match, insisting that Alexander-Arnold would undergo medical checks to assess the problem.
Gary Lineker has led tributes to Trent Alexander-Arnold after he pulled out of England’s squad
The 22-year-old picked up a thigh injury during England’s win over Austria on Wednesday
And the 22-year-old received the worst possible news on Thursday, with scans showing that the Englishman has picked up a quad injury and he will be sidelined for four to six weeks as a result.
It means that Alexander-Arnold will miss this summer’s European Championship and leaves Southgate with a dilemma as to who to select to replace the dynamic right back.
Match of the Day host and former England striker Lineker has taken to Twitter to bemoan the Three Lions’ loss of ‘the best attacking right back in world football’.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence is a huge blow to Gareth Southgate ahead of the competition
What a blow for @TrentAA and @England,’ he wrote. ‘Losing the best attacking right back in World football is such a shame.’
Fans have taken to social media in their droves, devastated at the loss of the high-flying right back just days before England’s opening game against Croatia.
‘Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the Euros through injury,’ one fan wrote. ‘How on Earth are we going to win it now?’
Another supporter said: ‘Trent Alexander-Arnold’s out of the Euros then. I’ve got a bad feeling about our squad now.’
Match of the Day host Gary Lineker took to Twitter to describe the news as a ‘blow’
England fans are also fearful of the Three Lions’ chances without the 22-year-old defender
‘So after all that speculation, Trent Alexander-Arnold ends up OUT of the England squad for the Euro 2020 tournament,’ one fan wrote. ‘@TrentAA, speedy recovery!’
One supporter hopes that Southgate will not risk his big-name players for Sunday’s final friendly against Romania. such is the threat of losing stars through injury.
‘Gutted for Trent Alexander-Arnold and hope Gareth will not risk many of England’s top players in the friendly against Romania on Sunday,’ the fan wrote.
The Liverpool star’s withdrawal frees up a place in the squad with 10 days until Croatia game
England’s squad will no doubt be devastated by the loss of Alexander-Arnold on the eve of the tournament, with Jordan Henderson and Harry Maguire in fitness limbo ahead of the competition.
Bukayo Saka said on Wednesday night that Alexander-Arnold’s injury was ‘devastating’.
‘It’s devastating, he has worked hard to earn his spot, it’s a shame. We hope it’s not too serious,’ he said.