Steven Gerrard surprised that Gareth Southgate snubbed Trent Alexander-Arnold in England squad

ByThe Editorial Team

Updated 23/03/2021 at 16:29 GMT

Trent Alexander-Arnold has failed to reach his best form this season as Liverpool have struggled to defend their title and face an uphill battle in the race for a top-four finish. But former Reds captain Steven Gerrard says he was still surprised that Alexander-Arnold was omitted from Gareth Southgate's latest England squad.

Steven Gerrard has admitted he was surprised that Gareth Southgate left Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his latest England squad.

Alexander-Arnold was left out of Southgate's 26-man squad last week for this month's 2022 World Cup qualifying matches against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

The 22-year-old has featured regularly for Southgate's England squad in recent years but the manager admitted that poor form has cost him his spot.

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Manchester City's Kyle Walker, Atletico Madrid's Kieran Trippier and Chelsea's Reece James have each been selected ahead of Alexander-Arnold in the right-back position.

But Rangers manager and former Liverpool captain Gerrard believes that Alexander-Arnold, recently considered among the world's best right-backs, needs support to get him back on track.

"I think Trent is the best English right back in the country," said former England midfielder Gerrard.

Kieran Trippier was selected ahead of the Liverpool full-back

Image credit: Eurosport

One thing I've learnt from being a player is you can't always be 10 out of 10. When you do come off, you need that support, love and attention from your manager more than anyone else.

"So I was surprised by the decision but that's my opinion and my opinion is not important in this. Gareth Southgate makes the decisions there. I don't necessarily agree with that decision, but I’m not the England manager."

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