LIVERPOOL right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss out on England’s Euro 2020 squad, it’s claimed.
The report comes despite his impressive performances during the season run-in.
The 22-year-old defender has scored once and assisted four more in his last seven Premier League games as Jurgen Klopp’s side make a late bid for the top four places.
Among those assists was his delivery for keeper Alisson’s remarkable header against West Brom on the weekend which kept Liverpool’s Champions League hopes alive.
Alexander-Arnold’s upturn in performance has come following his omission from Gareth Southgate’s squad for the three World Cup qualifiers in March.
The Three Lions boss decided instead to go with Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier.
And while Alexander-Arnold has made a strong case to be selected since those games two months ago, The Athletic have reported that it remains ‘improbable’ he will land a place in the 26-man squad.
This is because Southgate is still unsure about his ability to balance his attacking qualities with the defensive solidity required.
The decision is not said to be a reflection of the Liverpool man’s talent or character, more a result of the way Southgate wants his England team to play.
After Alexander-Arnold was left out of the England squad back in March, Reds boss Klopp said: “I don’t understand it because Trent was last season and the season before that the stand-out right-back in world football. That is the truth and at an unbelievably young age too.
“I have no problem if my players get some criticism. They can get it from me, they can get it from other people, but that is the truth.
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“I am a manager myself. We make decisions that other people probably do not understand.
“I respect Gareth makes his own decisions, of course, but I didn’t understand it.
“If you compare Lionel Messi with his best season ever then he is not performing now like he was in 2005 and 2006.
“But he is still the world’s best player.”
Elsewhere in the England set-up, fringe players Dean Henderson, Jadon Sancho and Jack Grealish are all expected to land spots in the Euro 2020 squad.
And so is 17-year-old prodigy Jude Bellingham, who has excelled for Borussia Dortmund this season.
England kick off their Euro 2020 campaign against Croatia on June 13 before they face Scotland and Czech Republic in their other Group D matches.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
