Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to be part of England’s EURO ’21 squad.
The Daily Mail reported that the Scouser was one of seven players set to be axed from Gareth Southgate’s squad for this summer’s European Championship squad, with Reece James, Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier to be selected ahead of him.
They claimed: “Gareth Southgate will shatter the dreams of seven EURO hopefuls on Tuesday with Trent Alexander-Arnold among those in danger of the axe.”
The English defender struggled for form earlier this season but in the last three months of the Premier League campaign, he was untouchable and ended the season with the same number of chances created as the much-lauded Kevin De Bruyne.
From right back…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Xherdan Shaqiri after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on April 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
While it’s a myth that Trent cannot defend as he’s actually come a long way defensively, I understand wanting to take a player like Kyle Walker who can play right-back as well as on the right-hand side of a three-man central defensive partnership.
What I can’t figure out is why you wouldn’t want someone with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s creativity in your squad at all.
Reece James, who is valued at £36million by Transfermarkt, is a fantastic player and off the back of his Champions League final display against Manchester City, he fully deserves to go to the EUROs ahead of his club rival, Trent.
Then there’s Kieran Trippier, who scored that free-kick against Croatia in the 2018 FIFA World Cup semi-final. He was if we’re nitpicking, partially at fault for Mario Mandzukic’s winner, being bullied off the ball by Ivan Perisic.
He absolutely should not go to the tournament ahead of Trent.
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 11: Kieran Trippier of England looks dejected at the end of extra time during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between Croatia and England at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
Sky Sports now reports that the Liverpool right-back will be part of the England squad to go to the EUROs and, at the time of writing, it’s unknown who will miss out on in his place.
The West-Derby youngster is no ordinary fullback and he is vilified by the England media for the few mistakes he has made in his fledgeling career while his defensive strengths are often ignored.
For instance, he is superb at counter-pressing. He’s arguably the best at it in the Liverpool squad. Roberto Firmino is more often than not the trigger for the Reds to press but Trent is superb at pouncing on players once he or his teammates lose the ball.
His first assist against Barcelona is a prime example of this – he gave the ball away, stole it back from Jordi Alba and provided a pinpoint cross for Wijnaldum to score the second of four goals scored that historic night.
This article will be updated with the confirmed news when it’s announced by the official Three Lions Twitter account.
