Jamie Carragher defends Gareth Southgate over Kalvin Phillips comments and has theory on what England boss really meant

Jamie Carragher has defended Gareth Southgate and given his take as to what he meant with his comments on Kalvin Phillips.

England have struggled to get the balance right in midfield in two games at the Euros, where they have four points from matches against Serbia and Denmark.

Southgate has partnered Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside Declan Rice as part of an experiment but subbed the Liverpool star in both fixtures.

He was replaced by Conor Gallagher on both occasions, lasting just 53 minutes in the draw with Denmark.

After the game, Southgate described Alexander-Arnold playing centrally as "an experiment" and irritated fans when he said the team "don't have a natural replacement for a Kalvin Phillips".

Phillips was nowhere near in contention for England's 26-man squad after struggling for regular football at Manchester City and then experiencing a disastrous loan spell at West Ham.

Image: Getty

Many took issue with Southgate's remarks, which he expanded on in his press conference, given both Adam Wharton and Kobbie Mainoo were sitting on the England bench in the last game.

But former Liverpool legend Carragher had his own view on what Southgate was trying to say in bringing up Phillips.

Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, he wrote: "I think the point he was trying to make was that since the last Euros when Phillips was one of England’s best players, he’s never really had a recognised partner for Rice.

"He’s tried lots of different combinations without anyone really nailing it."

Roy Keane has said Alexander-Arnold is "not up to it" in regards to his new role , while Ian Wright believes slotting in Wharton will solve a lot of England's problems.

Image: Getty

England return to action on Tuesday when they take on Slovenia in Cologne.

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