Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of five players left out of England’s squad to face Germany on Monday, their last game before the World Cup.
Manager Gareth Southgate has consistently overlooked Alexander-Arnold, with the likes of Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier ahead of him in the pecking order.
And with doubts over whether Liverpool’s most creative player will make the Three Lions World Cup squad, his omission from the 23-man group to play Germany speaks volumes.
Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute in England’s 1-0 loss to Italy on Friday night, their fifth straight game without a win and their third without even scoring a goal.
It has now been revealed that the 23-year-old is one of five players set to miss the team to face Germany, with Sky Sports’ Rob Dorsett revealing that AC Milan’s Fikayo Tomori, Southampton’s James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen of West Ham have also been omitted. Man City’s Jack Grealish will also be absent due to suspension.
If Alexander-Arnold, a player who has recorded 66 assists in his six years as a Liverpool player, is unable to make the squad at a time when England are struggling to score goals and create chances, then the writing seems to be on the wall. . .
This year, coaches can name 26 players in their World Cup squads, as opposed to 23 in previous tournaments, which may work in Alexander-Arnold’s favour.
But even if he is selected, any real playing time seems unlikely, with Walker, James and Trippier clearly ahead of him in the current pecking order.
Southgate was asked about Alexander-Arnold’s capabilities on Sunday, to which he praised his “fantastic passing range”, before quickly moving on to attributes that James and Trippier can also offer.
The right-back has come under fire for his defensive contributions for Liverpool this season, as the Reds’ four defenders have only kept two clean sheets since the campaign began last month.
He can only assume that Southgate continues to overlook him due to concerns about the defensive side of his game.
For Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold’s omission from the squad to play Germany is welcome news, as the right-back will return to Merseyside having played no minutes during the international break.
The Reds’ meeting with Brighton on Saturday is the first of 13 games they will play over the next six weeks, before the World Cup mid-season break.
