Trent Alexander-Arnold has once again found himself out in the cold on the international stage - just as Rio Ferdinand predicted earlier this month.
Despite the fact that Alexander-Arnold has evolved into one of Liverpool's most influential players under Jurgen Klopp, his impressive domestic form has failed to translate into a regular role in Gareth Southgate's England team.
And just days after the England boss left Alexander-Arnold on the bench for the 1-0 defeat against Italy, Southgate has decided to omit the Reds right-back from his matchday squad for Monday's showdown against Germany at Wembley.
Southgate's decision to ignore Alexander-Arnold on Friday has been heavily scrutinised after England drew another blank in Milan. The Three Lions have now gone over 450 minutes without scoring from open play, yet there was no place in the team for one of the Premier League's most creative players; a point that has already been highlighted by a frustrated Gary Lineker.
But Alexander-Arnold's absence from the England team is nothing new. The 23-year-old, who chalked up a staggering 21 goal contributions for Liverpool last term, has featured in just five of England's 31 matches in the build-up to the World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar in November - highlighting that he is hardly at the forefront of Southgate's plans.
And Ferdinand had previously predicted that the freedom Alexander-Arnold is given in the current Liverpool set-up could do more harm than good to his chances of nailing down a regular role under Southgate, who has adopted a more pragmatic approach with the national side.
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Ferdinand told BT Sport earlier this month: "Is Jurgen Klopp saying to him 'you're in this team to create chances?' Is he treating him like he's a No 10 in this team from right-back? The game in the right-back position has changed so much. The likes of [Joao] Cancelo and Reece James are dictating games and getting more touches than anyone in the game.
"Is he telling him 'the guys behind you, they're responsible for defensive situations, and you go out there and play off the cuff' without the noose around your neck to be responsible defensively? I think it will be difficult for Trent to start for England, with the way Gareth has set his team up in recent months and time gone by.
"Jurgen Klopp is not looking at his weakest attributes. He is saying 'what are his best attributes and how can I get him out there producing the best parts of his game and amplify the positives?'"
