Gareth Southgate is concerned about the drama surrounding him and Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold as England prepare for the World Cup.
That is according to the Telegraph, who claim that the 52-year-old is stunned by those who accuse him of being against using the £160,000-a-week.
Southgate stunned as World Cup looms
Well, Alexander-Arnold has barely played for the Three Lions during Southgate’s reign, with most of his 17 caps coming from the bench, or in meaningless fixtures.
Pressure has mounted on Southgate as a result, largely due to the fact Liverpool’s No.66 is one of the best players in the Premier League, and is often decisive in tight games under Jürgen Klopp.
The Telegraph believe Southgate is now concerned about how much attention is being placed on the situation, and is worried that the frequent questioning is having a negative impact on Alexander-Arnold himself.
It is also said that the England boss has made a point of the fact he included the 24-year-old in his squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, when the right-back was just 18 years of age.
Southgate has often preferred to use Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker or Reece James on the right flank, despite Alexander-Arnold’s consistently impressive displays for Liverpool.
Since making his debut for the Reds, the Liverpool-born defender has helped Klopp win the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup, scoring 15 goals and also providing 62 assists.
Southgate can put Alexander-Arnold situation to bed at World Cup
In our view, the World Cup gives Southgate a golden chance to silence the noise surrounding this situation.
James missed out on a place in the squad through injury, while Trippier is capable of playing at left-back, so we think Alexander-Arnold deserves to start at right-back.
The Liverpool star has everything a player needs to make an impact in a tournament, as he boasts phenomenal set-piece skills, has the vision to spot a game-changing pass, and also the technical ability to make it count.
Given the fact England scored most of their goals at the 2018 World Cup from dead-ball situations, it makes no sense to leave a player who is arguably the best technician out of the XI.
Hopefully, Southgate gives Alexander-Arnold a proper chance to prove himself for England in Qatar.
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