£72M Liverpool star rejected by England despite his incredible Premier League statistics - only De Bruyne ranks higher

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold may have been rejected by Gareth Southgate and England but his record in the Premier League shows why he must go to the World Cup.

The Liverpool star has been left out of the last two matchday squads against Italy and Germany and now looks unlikely to make the World Cup squad.

Fans and pundits have mostly backed Alexander-Arnold but his defensive frailties seem to be too much for Gareth Southgate to look past. Especially with other, more experienced options of Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier.

However, the 23-year-old's attacking stats have shown him to be in the elite category, attacking-wise, with only Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne ranking higher.

Only Kevin De Bruyne ranks higher...

In the last four years since the last World Cup, only Kevin De Bruyne has provided more assists in the Premier League or created more chances than Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold's total for expected assists is actually higher than De Bruyne - and everyone else. He tops the rankings for successful crosses and chances created from set plays

Last season he managed 19 assists and two goals in all competitions from full-back and has 62 assists overall for Liverpool.

Competition at right-back

With the experienced figures of Walker and Trippier always likely to get picked, Trent is up against Reece James, who started against both Italy and Germany.

He's become more of a favourite under Southgate in recent times and now the Liverpool defender finds himself out in the cold just months away from the WC.

It's unlikely he will be able to change the England manager's mind before the squad is announced and it means that they will be without one of the most creative players in the PL.

Only time will tell if would be the right decision to leave him out but it's clear his attacking stats are hard to ignore, whichever you look at them.