Liverpool supporters have been feeling a certain amount of schadenfreude at seeing Trent Alexander-Arnold overlooked by England again this month.
The Real Madrid full-back has had a very underwhelming international career, and was once again left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man squad for the final friendlies before the World Cup.
It does not bode well for Alexander-Arnold‘s chances of going to the USA, Mexico and Canada this summer, and according to Wayne Rooney, the former Liverpool man could have no way back under Tuchel.
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No way back for Alexander-Arnold under Tuchel
For a player of Alexander-Arnold’s quality, to have only 34 caps by the age of 27 is extremely surprising. Gareth Southgate could not get the best out of the Scouser, and Tuchel clearly does not fancy him either.
That is perhaps an indictment on the coaches more than Trent himself, and speaking on The Wayne Rooney Show, Rooney stated his belief that the full-back has been harshly treated, while also claiming that he will simply not be picked by the current manager.
“The one big surprise was obviously Trent,” he said when asked about the England squad. “I find it incredible that he’s not in a 35-man squad. It didn’t sound like there was any way back for Trent the way Tuchel spoke.”
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“He should be in that squad, his ability, his quality. I’ve said it many times and I’m sure he’d say himself that he’s not the best defender, but what he has on the ball is something no other English player has.
“He’s been playing recently and he’s been playing really well. I’ve been guilty of judging myself, you don’t know how difficult it was to go over there and settle in, he’s picked up injuries. But he’s had a run of games and there’s no doubting his ability, on the ball he’s as good as we’ve ever seen in the Premier League.”
Tuchel may be splitting up Bellingham ‘clique’
The debate over Alexander-Arnold and England is not a new one, it raged throughout his time at Liverpool as well.
The question is whether his outstanding ability on the ball makes up for his lack of defensive solidity during a tournament which can hinge on fine margins.
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While Rooney clearly believes there is room for Alexander-Arnold, he suggested that the Scouser’s friendship with Jude Bellingham – who has clashed with Tuchel – could actually be what is coming back to bite him.
“There’s an argument he should be starting, so not having him in the squad, it feels a little bit deeper,” he said.
“I know he’s good mates with Jude and it looks like there’s been a few issues with Jude, so maybe he feels there’s a clique there and he’s trying to split it up. I don’t know what the reasons are.”
With Tuchel contracted to England until after Euro 2028, when Alexander-Arnold will be soon to turn 30, his England career may never recover.
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