Steven Gerrard: Trent Alexander-Arnold is England’s best right-back - I’m surprised he’s been dropped

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Former Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard believes Trent Alexander-Arnold is England’s best right-back and says he is “surprised” that Gareth Southgate has axed him from his squad. 

Alexander-Arnold has been left out of Southgate’s 26-man squad for World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland over the next fortnight, with his form having dipped during Liverpool’s torrid Premier League run. 

Right-back is perhaps the position where England have the most depth, with Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James all included in the current squad and the likes of Aaron Wan-Bissaka still uncapped. 

However, Rangers boss Gerrard still believes that Alexander-Arnold, who played a key part in Champions League and Premier League wins for Liverpool in recent years and is still rated as one of the best young players in Europe, should have made the cut. 

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“I think Trent is the best English right back in the country,” Gerrard said. 

“One thing I’ve learnt from being a player is you can’t always be 10 out of 10. When you do come off, you need that support, love and attention from your manager more than anyone else.

“So I was surprised by the decision but that’s my opinion and my opinion is not important in this. Gareth Southgate makes the decisions there. I don’t necessarily agree with that decision, but I’m not the England manager.”

England host San Marino on Thursday before playing away against Albania on Sunday and at home against Poland on March 31.

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