Gareth Southgate has explained that he did not even name Trent Alexander-Arnold as a substitute against Germany because he thinks Kieran Trippier’s all-round game is superior to that of Liverpool’s attacking right-back.
The England manager may have been implying that Alexander-Arnold, who has been prolific at creating chances for his club, lacks the defensive excellence he requires but he also said his omission was because he thought it was unfair to omit some of his players from the matchday squad for both September matches.
Southgate preferred to give Ben Chilwell the spot on the bench for Monday’s 3-3 draw after the Chelsea player was not among the replacements for Friday’s defeat to Italy.
But Alexander-Arnold, who has only played in one international in 2022, looks the manager’s fourth-choice right-back now.
Reece James started both matches, while Kyle Walker began against Italy and came off the bench against Germany, both as the right of three centre-backs, and Trippier was an unused replacement for each game.
Southgate argued that, with Luke Shaw starting against Germany, he wanted the option of Chilwell as like-for-like cover.
He said: “Firstly, I didn’t want any player to sit in the stand for two matches so I think the way we manage a group of people has been a big strength for us in the tournaments and we need to do that.
“The other night, we didn’t need the left-back cover, against Germany we did because of the way we went with the team so we needed Chilly on the bench and we had Kieran who, at the moment, I feel his all-round game is ahead [of Trent].”
