Trent Alexander-Arnold set to MISS out on England squad for Euro 2020

Trent Alexander-Arnold set to MISS out on England squad for Euro 2020, with the Liverpool’s chances of breaking back into Gareth Southgate’s squad now ‘improbable’ despite improved Liverpool form in recent weeks

  • Trent Alexander-Arnold lost his England place in March after a shock omission
  • The Liverpool full-back had struggled with form for club and country
  • But his Reds displays have picked up since March snub, prompting recall hopes
  • However, it appears Gareth Southgate still has concerns over tactical issues 

Trent Alexander-Arnold looks set to be a shock omission from Gareth Southgate‘s England squad for Euro 2020 despite the full-back’s recent upturn in form according to reports.

Alarm bells over the Liverpool star’s place first sounded earlier in March when he was left out of the squad for the start of the World Cup qualifiers.

Alexander-Arnold has struggled for form this term amid Liverpool’s miserable attempts to defend their Premier League title, but he has been getting back to his best following his surprise Three Lions omission earlier in the year.

England manager Gareth Southgate (left) looks set to snub Trent Alexander Arnold from his squad for Euro 2020 this summer

However, according to the Athletic, this is not likely to be enough to convince Southgate to recall the 22-year-old who has 12 England caps.

The report claims it is improbable that he can now force his way back in and that only injuries or a change of heart could alter that stance.

In addition, the exclusion is also not a personal matter but on a tactical concern, with Southgate preferring full-back options who are stronger defensively.

Despite the apparent snub, the report also states that it does not close the door on Alexander-Arnold’s international career at this time and that he could earn a recall in the same manner that Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier have bounced back having also dropped out of favour in recent times.

Alexander-Arnold was left out of the squad in March and has not been capped since starting in a victory over Belgium back in October

Alexander-Arnold was left out of the squad in March and has not been capped since starting in a victory over Belgium back in October

The Liverpool full-back has struggled for form this season

But revived showings since his March snub from the international set-up gave hope of a recall in time for the summer's finals

The Liverpool full-back has struggled for form this season but revived showings since his March snub from the international set-up gave hope of a recall in time for the summer’s finals

The duo are part of a wealth of right-back options available to Southgate, with third choice now seeing Chelsea’s Reece James break into the setup following a strong campaign.

Although the recently announced increase of squad size for the Euros from 23 to 26 is thought to play into Alexander-Arnold’s hands, it is unlikely that Southgate would pick a fourth-choice right-back – especially a high profile star who would likely spend the entire tournament as a substitute. 

Southgate handed Alexander-Arnold his England debut in warm up clash against Costa Rica before the 2018 World Cup, having selected him in his final squad for the tournament in Russia.

After an excellent season with Chelsea it appears Reece James will get the nod for Euro 2020

After an excellent season with Chelsea it appears Reece James will get the nod for Euro 2020

Kyle Walker (above) is now among the first choice options for Southgate, having bounced back from squad omissions to force his way back into the set-up

Kieran Trippier has also returned to the international set-up in recent times after being left out of the squad

Kyle Walker (left) and Kieran Trippier are now first choice options for Southgate, with both having also bounced back from squad omissions to force their way back into the set-up

Although largely confined to the bench, he did start the group stage 1-0 defeat by Belgium.

The 22-year-old gradually emerged as first choice, and even as recently as September was in Southgate’s starting XI.

His last England cap came in October in a 2-1 Nations League victory over Belgium at Wembley and he has not been called up since having withdrawn from the November round of international matches due to injury prior to his March selection snub.