AS debate rages over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England axing, one thing is certain in my mind — Harry Kane will want the Liverpool man at the Euros.
Any centre-forward in the world would relish the trademark delivery Alexander-Arnold produced in Liverpool’s 3-0 win at Arsenal last weekend.
And any centre-forward would hope for a team-mate with Trent’s dead-ball ability at set-pieces.
When Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate left Trent out of his squad for last month’s World Cup qualifiers there was huge shock about it, especially as that was the last England party before the 23 is named for this summer’s tournament.
Many believe Trent will not be going to the Euros now — but I still think he will make the cut.
It is fair to say his performance at the Emirates last Saturday was at a far higher level than many he has produced this season and the same can be said of many in the Kop team.
But that cross for Diogo Jota’s opening goal was picture perfect, it was world-class and it was a forward’s dream.
The 22-year-old whipped it in at pace, with absolute accuracy, splitting the two centre-backs and all Jota had to do was guide his header home.
You freeze the action there, and there isn’t a single defender doing anything wrong — every Arsenal player is doing their job.
The goal was almost unstoppable.
Southgate has a wealth of options at right-back but there is no other full-back in England — and few in the world — who could make that cross.
Of course there are also doubts about Trent’s defensive abilities and he did make a poor error on Tuesday, leading to Real Madrid’s second goal in the Champions League quarter-final.
There are pros and cons about all of England’s right-backs.
Manchester City man Kyle Walker, 30, has rapid pace and is world-class at recovery runs but has also made occasional errors.
Although Southgate has suggested he will name only two right-backs in his Euros squad, I’d take Walker, Alexander-Arnold and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, 23, which would be very harsh on both Kieran Trippier and Reece James.
Wan-Bissaka is our best defensive right-back and I find it staggering that he has never been capped by England.
It’s remarkable that a £50million Manchester United regular can’t get close to the England squad.
But I’d like the option of Wan- Bissaka doing a man-marking job on a top-class winger such Antoine Griezmann or Leroy Sane at the Euros, because he is such a brilliant defender.
It seems as though Southgate is more likely to play a flat back-four as his plan A at the Euros and that he doesn’t fancy the Anfield right-back in that formation.
If and when he plays a back five, Walker could move to right centre-back and Trent at wing-back.
I like that idea, especially against the better teams and I am convinced Kane will like it too. If Jurgen Klopp’s side finish the season strongly, and Trent plays well, I still think he will make it.
Remember, this is a player who played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs.
And even if his form has been more bumpy this season, England cannot afford to leave out someone of that quality.
I respect the fact that Southgate makes strong decisions and knows his own mind.
If Liverpool recapture their old momentum, then I believe it will carry Trent to the Euros, where he will lay them on a plate for skipper Kane.
The 50-year-old phased out Wayne Rooney at the start of his England reign and Chris Smalling was completely frozen out a little later on.
But Trent will be back — this one is not an irreversible judgment from the England boss.
Today’s home match against Aston Villa is a fixture Liverpool will have been targeting.
They have lost six in a row at home, but haven’t played at Anfield in more than a month, and facing Villa without Jack Grealish looks a great chance to end that horrible run of form.
The Reds will probably tell you they are not out for ‘revenge’ after their extraordinary 7-2 hammering at Villa Park back in October — but they will be.
There will have been a huge embarrassment — and shock factor — about that result and they will be desperate to make amends.
If Liverpool can score two or three in the first half, Klopp will not ease up, and his team will want to score eight.
When the champions are in full flow, their full-backs — Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson — are always to the fore.
And if they can recapture their old momentum, then I believe it will carry Trent to the Euros, where he will be laying them on a plate for international skipper Kane.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
