TRENT IS ‘NO RISK’ BUT HE IS NO FIRST PICK EITHER

GARETH SOUTHGATE said he does not see a risk in playing Trent Alexander-Arnold – but admitted he is not in pole position in his World Cup plans this winter.

The Kop right-back (above) is one of Liverpool’s most creative players but was left out in the cold against Italy on Friday, a decision which drew criticism on social media from ex-England star Gary Lineker.

England boss Southgate is clearly sensitive about the issue but said that the other contenders for the right-back slot – Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier and Reece James – are equally qualified.

Southgate said: “I don’t see risks. At Liverpool they find a way of playing that brings the best out of his attributes and that’s what we’re all trying to do.

“You can have a style of play and a way of playing, and a balance to the team. You’re trying to build a team that accentuates the positives, and at the same time protects you against how the opponents might come at you.

“He does have a fantastic range of passing, and we’re blessed with different profiles of player in that position. If we play with wing-backs, Trippier and Reece James are also exceptional with the ball, in different ways. We’re always having to look at the full package.”

And Southgate said all the rightback contenders have the medals to back up their claims.

“They’ve all been to Champions League finals, some of them have been to latter stages of major tournaments with us,” he said. “Trent’s won the Premier League, Trippier’s won the Spanish League, Walker’s won the Premier League.

“There are so many good attributes about them.

“It’s a really difficult position to make decisions on, but we have to go with the ones we believe, and ultimately I’ll be judged on the outcome.”