Southgate has got 26 reasons to recall TAA

GARETH SOUTHGATE was not a massive fan of UEFA’s decision to allow managers to have 26-man squads at the Euros.

After this night at Old Trafford, he probably is.

Because the regulation change that gives national team coaches three extra picks might just have another name in Southgate’s mind.

Let’s call it the Trent AlexanderArnold clause.

With 26 invited to the party, Southgate can afford to take four right-backs if he wants.

Even if it just means he dodges the criticism of Trent-loving pundits, Southgate might think it is worth it.

And he might be an attacking option if England need to go a bit more adventurous, or lose a raft of midfielders early in the tournament.

Southgate was in the Old Trafford stands, but Alexander-Arnold’s hugely influential display probably told him very little he did not already know.

He did not need to watch Roberto Firmino’s bullet header to know Alexander-Arnold delivers a set-piece.

He did not need to watch Dean Henderson spill the full-back’s shot ahead of Firmino’s second – and Liverpool’s third – to know AlexanderArnold is a potent attacking threat.

He did not need to watch one second-half moment as he turned up on the left wing to know AlexanderArnold (above) has fantastic energy.

Southgate has long known these things and more.

But the type of performance responsible for his shock omission was the calamitous one in Madrid.

In the end, Southgate has to make a judgement call.

Manchester United were all over the place for much of this contest, worse than the reserves put out against Leicester.

But Alexander-Arnold was sensational in an attacking sense.

Can Southgate ignore that type of brilliant play from a full-back because he is not that fond of defending? He did last time around.

But, thanks to the rule of 26, he surely cannot ignore it again.