Co-ommentator Lee Dixon was caught changing his mind in regards to Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold over the course of 90 minutes as England hammered San Marino 10-0 to book their place at the 2022 World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold played the full game at right-wingback as England hit double figures for the first time since 1964.
But, midway through the second half with the score at 7-0, Chelsea right-back Reece James seemed set to come on, which led to Dixon making a claim about the Liverpool man.
He said on ITV: “We see James getting ready to come on and it looks like Trent Alexander-Arnold might come off. His body language is not great. It’s been a difficult evening.
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“It looks like he’s just tried a bit too hard. His passing hasn’t been quite right. Been caught in possession a few times. I think it’s only natural with all the speculation of whether he should be in the team or not.”
But James did not come on for the Liverpool defender, Alexander-Arnold went on to grab three assists, and Dixon suddenly began praising the 22-year-old.
“We know the quality that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s got,” Dixon said after the Reds No.66 set up Tyrone Mings to make it 8-0.
“It looked a little bit behind him. It was a really good header. [He] gets ahead of it and then just waits and guides it into that far corner. The pace of the ball did the job.”
For 9-0, Alexander-Arnold teed up substitute Tammy Abraham. “It’s a lovely ball in, the cushion on his knee just softs so it drops onto his foot. Great little ball in that," said Dixon.
“Just a little soft touch there to set himself up. Defender can’t get anything on it. Great ball, that is, right into the space.”
Alexander-Arnold’s last assist was to Bukayo Saka, with Dixon commenting: “Body language of Trent Alexander-Arnold there, smiling. This is what he can bring to a team.
“Superb quality on the ball putting the ball into the danger area with the right amount of pace, right type of cross. Just a little dink and Saka’s just waiting for it. Defence is all over the shop but the delivery is superb.”
