DROPPING TRENT IS SHORTSIGHTED

WHEN Gareth Southgate listed his options it was easy to see the logic. He has four right backs — Kieran trippier, Kyle Walker, reece James and trent Alexander-Arnold — and placing that quartet in order of form this season, the Liverpool man would come last. He might even be fifth if Southgate recognised Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s talents. Even so, leaving him out of the England squad seems a contrary move. terry Venables, the international manager Southgate (below) seems most influenced by, always said it should be as hard to get out of the England team as it was to get in it. He was not in favour of allowing the vagaries of club form to dictate international selection. that way, England had 21 managers. Alexander-Arnold has not been at his best for Liverpool this season, but he was injured in November meaning his last international was 79 minutes of the 2-1 win over Belgium in October. Belgium were better on the day but England were defensively resilient. the deflected goal that won the game was started by Alexander-Arnold’s lovely crossfield pass. Was he really so bad that he hasn’t even been called on to train now, for Southgate to just have a look at him, keep his spirits up? If there is stuff he is no longer doing, why not get him in, talk about it, show where he is going wrong and explain why he isn’t in the team? there is a suggestion Alexander-Arnold pulled a face when substituted against Belgium. Surely Southgate isn’t that thin-skinned? However many right backs are forming a line, he is too good a player for a cold war.