Danny Murphy warns Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold will be dropped for the FIFA World Cup
Speaking to talkSPORT via Twitter (h/t The Daily Star), Danny Murphy has claimed that Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold will not make the cut for the England squad ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The Reds ace is one of the finest right-backs in world football and has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances. However, he has started this season poorly and looks a pale shadow of the player he can be.
This drop off in performance level is not lost on Murphy. He has gone on to predict that Alexander-Arnold will not be part of the Three Lions side that will travel to Qatar later this year.
“I don’t think Trent goes. I don’t think that Southgate will pick him.”
Murphy’s comments appear to be a prediction of what Gareth Southgate would do. While Alexander-Arnold is certainly a force to be reckoned with on his day, the Three Lions are not short of options in his position.
Chelsea star Reece James and Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier are solid options who can do a job for England. Unless Trent returns to his usual best, there is every chance he could make way for players in better form.
Murphy goes on to add that had it been up to him, Trent would make the trip to Qatar. The 23-year-old’s eye for a pass and the ability to craft an opening out of nothing puts him in a special bracket of gamechangers.
“Would I pick him? Yes. In terms of right-backs, everyone will have different choices because we are blessed with them. The thing Trent gives you that none of the others do, even if you don’t start him, he can do things from an attacking point of view that the others can’t.”
With just months to go before the showpiece event, time is running out for Trent to get back to top form. It would be a shame if a player of his ability failed to rise to expectations, especially when it mattered.
While James and Trippier are solid options, they arguably lack the Liverpool star’s dynamism when it comes to dictating play from the right-hand side. Having won it all with Liverpool, Trent is also someone well acquainted with winning the biggest trophies in football.
More Liverpool News
- Liverpool legend Steve Nicol urges Jurgen Klopp to play Darwin Nunez more often
- Liverpool gaffer Jurgen Klopp stunned by all-star suggestions by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly
- Liverpool icon Dean Saunders believes the club should have signed Heung-Min Son to replace Sadio Mane
Whether or not Trent makes the cut for England, Liverpool could certainly do with him returning to his best. He has appeared far too casual of late, especially in defensive situations and should not take his spot for granted.
