Gareth Southgate sends message to Trent Alexander-Arnold after England snub

England boss Gareth Southgate insists his decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his squad for internationals against Italy and Ukraine is an opportunity for the Liverpool ace to ‘re-energise’.

The full-back was not named in the 23-man Three Lions squad for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers.

Alexander-Arnold made England’s World Cup squad for Qatar but made just one appearance as Southgate favoured the likes of Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker.

The defender’s form has been heavily criticised this term and he was far from at his best as Liverpool lost 1-0 against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.

Trippier and Walker have again made the squad, while Reece James is back in despite his injury problems.

That left no room for Alexander-Arnold but Southgate says the defender should view the ‘snub’ as an opportunity to reset.

‘If Liverpool are trying to qualify for the Champions League on a yearly basis, I’m not sure Trent’s your man. If Liverpool get back to being one of the best teams in Europe, he is your man. But, right now, the lad needs help.

‘I do question or think about what are the messages he’s getting on a daily basis, about his defending? Do they want more from him? The lack of intensity when he goes to press and close down is not there. It’s a million miles away, and it’s been shown up this season.

‘I think it’ll continue to be shown up until he’s given help maybe off the pitch by the staff working on his defending a lot more, or they bring a right-back in.’

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