Carragher Disagrees With Southgate On Alexander-Arnold’s England Snub

Alexander-Arnold was not selected for the Three Lions’ right back spot for games against San Marino, Albania and Poland, with Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker picked to compete for the position.

The 22-year-old has not hit his usual high standards this season which has coincided with Liverpool’s miserable defence of the Premier League title.

Carragher has conceded that Alexander-Arnold has dipped in form and although he understands Southgate’s decision to drop him, he does not agree with the England manager.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold’s omission from the England squad is no surprise to me. I’ve had my suspicions for a while that the Liverpool defender is in a fight to make it to the European Championships,” Carragher told The Telegraph.

“The decision from Gareth Southgate is controversial but understandable. I don’t agree with it because in a head-to-head with Kieran Trippier, for me it's a no-brainer. Alexander-Arnold should be picked.

“Since he made his Liverpool debut, Alexander-Arnold has been a midfielder converted into a full-back. He has flourished by growing in a side which wants domination with the ball, thriving when Liverpool had its usual back four and covering midfielders who have enabled him to play as much like a wide midfielder than defender.

“Strange as it sounds for a full-back, defending has never been his strongest asset. He has sometimes struggled in one-on-one defensive or man-marking situations. Naturally, when Liverpool’s back four and midfield was destabilised by injuries at the start of this season, that became more apparent.

“Trent has often cited Barcelona’s Dani Alves as his hero. That’s perfect when Liverpool are swarming all over the opposition. That has not been the case for the last eight months, and never will be for England in an international tournament.”

Carragher added: “I disagree with leaving Trent out of the squad completely because there will still be times when England face sides intent on defending deep, especially in the group stages. That’s when Alexander-Arnold’s skills can be invaluable. His set-pieces can also be decisive in close games. James may be suited to some opponents, Alexander-Arnold to others. That’s why I would pick Alexander-Arnold ahead of Trippier.

“Being left out of the next few England games is no more than a bump in the road in a career which has already hit the greatest heights at club level. He will be back in an England shirt soon enough.

“And if the next time he gets the jersey he has more of an edge because he thinks he has something to prove, it may provoke the reaction Southgate is looking for.”