Michael Owen reckons Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will be selected by England boss Gareth Southgate for the World Cup.
The Reds right-back has come in for a lot of criticism in recent weeks over his defensive play for Liverpool with discussion ramping up after he failed to play a minute for England during the international break.
Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute for England in a 1-0 loss to Italy before Southgate left him out of his 23-man squad for the 3-3 draw against Germany.
The 24-year-old has been at fault for some of the goals Liverpool have conceded this season with former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf describing his defensive displays as ‘Championship-level’.
He has also failed to get an assist for Liverpool this campaign but answered critics in perfect fashion in midweek with an expertly executed free-kick against Rangers.
And former Liverpool striker Owen thinks Southgate will pick him to go to the World Cup but reckons he will be back-up for Chelsea defender Reece James.
Owen said (via the Daily Mirror): “He should go to the World Cup.
“From the outside, it’s no great revelation that I’m not sure Gareth thinks of him what some people think of him.
“I know some people think of him as an absolutely top, world-class player, but Gareth, right from the start, it’s not a new thing, has always had that right-back position with Reece James and Kyle Walker, depending on the system.
“So I don’t think he will be a starter but I do think he will go.
“Just to have someone come on with his wand of a right foot and especially because the squad contains big numbers, you can have cover in every position.
“Him and Reece James as two right-backs would be awesome and then obviously Walker can cover there or play as a right centre-half depending on the formation.
“Trippier was used at Euro 2020 as a left-back and that could be something that would continue with a question marks over our left-backs at the moment.
“So I think he will go but I don’t think he will be a starter in the main games.”
Former Arsenal and Tottenham defender William Gallas reckons Liverpool need to sign competition for Alexander-Arnold to push him on to another level.
Gallas said: “At the back, they have been really, really poor. Alexander-Arnold is struggling.
“The problem with Liverpool is that almost every goal is coming from Alexander-Arnold’s side of the pitch. He is playing far too high.
“From an attacking perspective, we…
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