Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Liverpool fans have Reece James theory as Gareth Southgate makes Trent Alexander-Arnold decision

Liverpool supporters have a theory regarding Reece James after Trent Alexander-Arnold was picked ahead of the Chelsea right-back for England's friendly against Austria.

There was plenty of speculation regarding whether Alexander-Arnold would even be included in the Three Lions' squad for the upcoming European Championships, but Gareth Southgate chose the Liverpool defender in his 26-man squad.

Trent is alongside fellow right-backs James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker in the squad for the international tournament, with plenty of competition in the right-back position.

England are preparing for the Euros with a warm-up friendly match against Austria and Trent starts in Southgate 's defensive line.

Liverpool supporters are overjoyed to see their right-back included in the starting line-up - and some of them have shared an interesting theory.

Here is the England starting line-up: Jordan Pickford (Everton), Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Declan Rice (West Ham United), Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa), Conor Coady (Wolves), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Jack Grealish (Aston Villa), Jesse Lingard (West Ham United).

James enjoyed an outstanding season for the Blues - which was capped off by a superb performance in the weekend's Champions League final against Manchester City, where the west London team won 1-0.

Rio Ferdinand, speaking after the match on BT Sport, heaped praise on the England right-back for his solid display against one of Europe's most dangerous attacks in City's.

Ferdinand said: "He’s a product of the youth academy and we’ve seen some people questioning him, for Chelsea and England.

"Well, tonight he performed on the biggest stage and was the standout, he was immense. He backs himself in one-v-one situations.

"If you’re going to play at the top level you have to do that. Today he became a man. Today he answered all those questions."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.