Euro 2024 has so far been very mixed indeed for the Liverpool participants.
Despite having as many as 10 players representing their countries in Germany, none have really shone so far.
Cody Gakpo has been the best on the bunch, but with the Netherlands finishing third in their group, the overall picture is still negative.
Meanwhile, four of Liverpool’s 10 are yet to even touch the pitch. Ibrahima Konate, Ryan Gravenberch and Joe Gomez must all be wondering just what they are doing there.
Diogo Jota is possibly part of the happiest camp with Portugal, but for the time being, most players must be looking forward to getting back to Anfield.
Gary Neville says Trent Alexander-Arnold will be ‘devastated’
One of the Liverpool cohort in Germany – Andy Robertson – has already had to call it a day for the summer.
Scotland bowed out of the group stage after a last-gasp loss against Dominik Szoboszlai’s Hungary.
Amongst all of those different storylines though, the biggest news – in England at least – has been Gareth Southgate’s usage of Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Having started the tournament in midfield, Alexander-Arnold has received widespread criticism for his performances.
READ MORE: Gary Lineker says Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ‘hung out to dry’ by England
And after seeing his team put in a dismal display against Denmark on Thursday, Southgate decided to change it. Conor Gallagher replaced Liverpool’s No.66 in the starting line-up for Tuesday 0-0 bore draw with Slovenia.
Predictably, England were no better. And speaking to ITV after the game, pundit Gary Neville claimed that Alexander-Arnold will be ‘devastated’ by the way things have gone.
“I do want to mention Trent Alexander-Arnold,” said Neville.
“I know it’s a big boy’s game and you can be left out of a football match, but I do feel that this is the best right-back we’ve ever produced by a million miles in terms of in possession, and he’s now sat on the bench wondering ‘what the hell’s going on?’. He’ll probably be devastated.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold ready for Liverpool return
Although England have made it through to the last-16 as group winners, it does not feel as though the Three Lions will go far in the tournament.
Southgate has shown himself to be tactically inept as a manager on the biggest stage. After limping their way to three disappointing showings, someone will surely put England out of their misery soon.
From there, we can only hope that Alexander-Arnold has not been damaged too much by the whole experience.
It was always a gamble putting Trent in midfield, and although his England teammates have raved about Alexander-Arnold, it hasn’t quite worked.
That does not necessarily mean that Arne Slot will be put off from the idea of the academy graduate becoming a midfielder, though.
Unlike Southgate, Slot will no doubt have a more coherent plan for Alexander-Arnold if that’s what he’s willing to do. In the meantime, hang in there, Trent.