England must make room for 'top player' Alexander-Arnold at Euro

A former striker suggests it will be a major mistake from Gareth Southgate to not include the Liverpool full-back in this summer’s tournament.

Gareth Southgate must make room for “top player” Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England squad for the Euro 2020, insists Peter Crouch.

On Thursday, Southgate announced his 26-man England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania, and Poland.

The list did not have Alexander-Arnold’s name on it as the likes of Kieran Trippier, Reece James, and Kyle Walker were selected ahead of him.

The Liverpool right-back has struggled for form this season. His defensive abilities have been called into question while he has also received criticism for his scarce contribution in the final third.

Despite that, his England omission came as a surprise by many – and Crouch is one of them.

“The selection – or should that be ‘no-selection’ – that surprised me most of all involved Trent Alexander-Arnold,” the ex-Liverpool striker told the Daily Mail.

“It feels now like Reece James will be going to the Euros ahead of him, provided he stays fit. I like James, he’s had an outstanding season but if Trent doesn’t go to the tournament it will remind me of the time Sven Goran Eriksson overlooked Jermain Defoe for Theo Walcott in 2006.

“Trent is a top player and surely you have to find a place for him in the squad?”