Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was shocked by Gareth Southgate’s decision to omit defender Trent Alexander-Arnold from the latest England squad.
The right-back had become a regular for the Three Lions after enjoying a key role in his hometown club’s success over recent seasons, though has largely flattered to deceive during a botched Premier League title defence by the Reds.
Alexander-Arnold’s drop in consistency saw him left out of the latest England squad for the start of 2022 World Cup qualifying, with Southgate instead opting for Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, Chelsea’s Reece James and Kieran Trippier of Atletico Madrid as his three right-sided defenders ahead of victories over San Marino, Albania and Poland.
Such an omission came as a major surprise to Klopp, given the 22-year-old’s previous lofty achievements at such an early stage of his career.
"If Alexander-Arnold is not in the squad then England must have an extremely good squad," Klopp said. "I was surprised he didn't get the call-up. I am a manager, I make decisions every day about team selections.
"I respect Gareth makes his own decisions but I didn't understand it because Alexander-Arnold was, in the last two seasons, the stand out right-back in world football - that is the truth and at an unbelievable young age.”
Klopp went on to praise Alexander-Arnold’s form after a difficult start to the campaign, while he revealed that the player will give his all to return to England duty ahead of this summer’s rescheduled European Championship after showing a strong reaction during training this week before Liverpool’s heavyweight Premier League clash with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium.
"It took him a while to get into the season, but from the moment he was in, he has been one of our most consistent players,” the German added.
"He was not with the national team, so he had time to train. He trained at an extremely high level and showed a reaction when there is no need to do so.
"He was really 'in' the sessions so that was good. He is very ambitious, I am sure he wants to be in the England squad and he will try everything to be there again."
