Steven Gerrard said he was surprised by England coach Gareth Southgate’s decision to release Trent Alexander-Arnold from the squad for their World Cup qualifiers and described the Liverpool defender as the “back best English support in the country. “
Alexander-Arnold was left out of Southgate’s 26-man squad last week for this month’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.
The 22-year-old has been a regular in the England squad since breaking into the side ahead of the 2018 World Cup but Southgate said his form cost him his spot.
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Southgate have plenty of options at right-back and have named Kyle Walker at Manchester City, Kieran Trippier at Atletico Madrid and Reece James at Chelsea for the upcoming games.
Rangers manager Gerrard, who spent 17 seasons at Liverpool as a player, said the defender needed support to get him back on track.
“I think Trent are the best English backup in the country,” England midfielder Gerrard told British media.
“One thing I’ve learned from being a player is that you can’t always be 10 out of 10. When you 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 is my opinion and my opinion is not important in this regard. Gareth Southgate makes decisions there. I do not agree at all with the decision. That ‘s a decision, but I’m not the manager of England. “
On the other side of the England defense, Ben Chilwell has said he hopes his transition to a backup role at Chelsea would increase his chances of being included in the starting line-up for this month’s qualifiers. .
Chilwell has succeeded under new Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel, who has put in a 3-5-2 form with Chilwell playing as a left-back instead of his usual left-back position.
“If you look at the creation that England is playing, the creation that we are playing right now [at Chelsea] gives us the best opportunity to get used to playing in the places where England wants us to play, “Chilwell, who was named part of Southgate ‘s 26 – man squad, told British media.
“Hopefully that gives us a good chance to get into the summer – that we can use it.”
England host San Marino on Thursday before playing away against Albania on Sunday and at home against Poland on March 31 in the qualifying matches.
The former Leicester City defender said he was also looking forward to competing against Luke United at Manchester United for a place in the squad for the Euros in June.
“Going into the Euros, if Luke and I are fighting it and trying to determine who has the best club form going into the competition, that’s just positive, “he said.