Trent Alexander-Arnold has been the topic of conversation in recent days after it was reported that the Liverpool star may not be going to the Euros.
The Liverpool man is undoubtedly one of the best full-backs in the world, but Gareth Southgate doesn’t quite see it that way, seemingly preferring the likes of Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker in his position.
The full-backs situation has really frustrated Liverpool fans, while pundits, such as Ian Wright, have also expressed their anger about this situation.
“For us to completely write this guy off when we’ve seen what he’s capable of doing in massive moments, and what he’s capable of doing from right-back in these massive moments, it makes me so angry, it makes me sad and angry at the same time,” Wright said on his podcast this week.
However, while Alexander-Arnold being left out of the England squad may be bad news for Liverpool as a club.
Indeed, we all know that Alexander-Arnold hasn’t been at his brilliant best this season, and Klopp has previously attributed that to the right-back struggling physically after not having a proper pre-season.
“There are explanations for this season, if you want – he has had good games as well and helped us in different moments – but the reason is he was out for a while with early Covid and had an injury that didn’t help,” Klopp said.
“He had no pre-season really and after, with the quality he has and the situation we were in, he played pretty early for us but he is now getting there, physically he is fine and he will find his top shape rather soon.”
Klopp’s premotion has come true. Alexadner-Arnold has only improved as the season has gone on, starring in recent weeks with a Man of the Match showing against Manchester United and a fantastic last-minute assist against West Brom.
Sadly, Alexander-Arnold struggled in the early knockings of this season due to the fact he didn’t have a summer break, and if he’s selected for the Euros, he could once again find himself in the same boat.
However, if Southgate doesn’t pick Alexander-Arnold next Tuesday, he will have an extended rest period over the summer and hit the ground running in 2021/22.
Of course, not being selected for the Euros would be frustrating for Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool fans, but in the long run, the defender being snubbed by Southgate could prove to be a blessing in disguise for the Reds.
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