ENGLAND’S YOUNG DREAM

Southgate names least experienced squad since 1962

GARETH SOUTHGATE has handed uncapped teenager Trent Alexander-Arnold a shock place in England’s World Cup squad. But Liverpool team-mate Adam Lallana was an unexpected omission from the 23-man squad for Russia, the midfielder forced to settle for a place on the standby list. Mail-Online revealed Alexander-Arnold, 19, had been included in Southgate’s squad for the World Cup yesterday afternoon. The player himself was told by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp just before flying to Marbella with the Champions League finalists yesterday for a training camp. ‘He came and spoke just as we were getting on the plane,’ said Alexander-Arnold. ‘He asked me if I knew anything about the

squad or anything yet. I said, “No” and he said, “Have you got anything planned around the time of the World Cup?” I was like, “No, no holidays or anything”.

‘He said, “OK, good . . . You’re in the squad!” It was a proud moment. It was nice of them to let the manager tell me.’

Despite his lack of experience, Southgate thinks Alexander-Arnold’s big-game performances in Liverpool’s run to the Champions League final outweigh his lack of senior football.

Lallana, though, is sweating on his place as one of five names on the standby list.

He returned from a hamstring injury in Sunday’s win against Brighton but has started three games this season.

Lallana, 30, joined Jack Wilshere and Joe Hart as the three big-name cuts from England’s most inexperienced World Cup squad since 1962.

Gary Cahill earned a recall after he was axed from the last squad.

‘ We can be excited about this squad,’ Southgate said. ‘It is a young group, but the balance is good, in terms of experience, character and positional balance.’

Tom Heaton, James Tarkowski, Lewis Cook, Jake Livermore and Lallana are on stand-by. They can replace an injured player up to 24 hours before England’s first game on June 18.