Graeme Souness defends Trent Alexander-Arnold after latest England snub: ‘You’ve got to have him at World Cup’

Trent Alexander-Arnold must go to the World Cup despite being dropped for England’s game against Germany, Graeme Souness has claimed.

Gareth Southgate has left the Liverpool right-back out of his matchday squad for the Nations League match at Wembley having kept him on the bench against Italy last week.

It means Alexander-Arnold, 22, will have only played one of England’s last eight games when Southgate picks his squad for Qatar in just over a months’ time.

Former Liverpool player and manager Souness believes Alexander-Arnold has plenty to offer the Three Lions, particularly as an impact substitute.

“For tournament football, you have to start a game believing you are going to play the very best of what team you are playing against,” he told talkSPORT.

“In that sense, you might start with a better defender but you’ve got to involve Trent in your World Cup squad.

“A simple way of putting it is if you are chasing a game then he’s your man. If you are getting to the last 10 or 15 minutes and you are holding on to something then I don’t think you will introduce Trent in that situation.

“Certainly, when you are looking for a goal then he’s your man. He’s got the most incredible qualities when you get in that last third.”