Jamie Carragher has suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold will still struggle to get into England’s starting XI at the World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold has had a tough season up until this point. Liverpool have been guilty of being leaky at the back and Alexander-Arnold himself has come under plenty of scrutiny.
The 24-year-old came on as a second-half substitute in Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest over the weekend.
Despite Alexander-Arnold’s recent struggles, England are now limited in their options at right-back due to injuries to Reece James and Kyle Walker.
Carragher still believes that the Liverpool defender may struggle to get into Gareth Southgate’s starting 11, even if James and Walker don’t recover in time.
The pundit explained (via Sky Sports): “Trent’s situation is helped by the injuries to Kyle Walker and Reece James and if those two players are out he’s a cert to go in the squad – but I still think he’ll find it really difficult to get into the team.
“I think Kieran Trippier would be ahead of him in Southgate’s eyes. If you take one of Walker and James, there’s still enough room for Trent to go but if those players miraculously made themselves fit or Southgate wanted to take a chance or risk with their fitness it may be difficult for Trent in terms of making the squad.
“I don’t see him making the team if Trippier stays fit, so it all hinges on how Southgate sees those injuries.”
Trippier has had an excellent season with Newcastle up until this point and Southgate has tended to trust the Newcastle defender in previous tournaments.
Newcastle currently boast the best defensive record in the Premier League, having only conceded 10 goals so far this season.
As well as being solid at the back, Trippier also has two goal contributions this season with a goal and an assist.
Southgate will have to make a late call on the fitness of James and Walker and time will tell if they can get themselves up to speed in time.
Carragher went on to explain the difficulties in carrying an injury in a major tournament adding: “My recollection of squads I was involved in, players who went into the tournament injured, there was the idea of getting them fit throughout the tournament.
“Wayne Rooney and David Beckham were two players, [where] 99 per cent of us would have done exactly the same as the managers at the time, trying to integrate them into the squad because they were so important. One was the captain, one was the best player.
“It never worked for them and it never worked for England in those tournaments, with injured players. I’d be very reluctant to take too many people in that situation.
“There’s always someone you can take a chance on, the squad is now 26 as well, which means you can take a couple of wildcards with someone not being fully fit.
“But with two in the same position, it would be difficult to take the two of them if they’re not 100 per cent fit.”
READ MORE: Man Utd to include Ronaldo in Sheriff squad as he’s joined in training by returning trio