Steven Gerrard ‘surprised’ by Trent Alexander-Arnold’s England omission

Steven Gerrard admits he is shocked that Trent Alexander-Arnold has been left out of England’s squad and has offered to be a sounding board for the Liverpool right back.

Alexander-Arnold has experienced a season in which his form has dipped and he has struggles with illness and injury but it still came as a surprise to see him axed for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

Though Gareth Southgate has argued that the door is not closed on whether he will be involved in the European Championship, the 21-year-old was shocked by his exclusion.

Gerrard, who won 114 caps during a 14-year England career, worked with Alexander-Arnold when he was at coaching at Liverpool’s Academy and a saw player who had the potential to become a fixture for his country.

It is why the Glasgow Rangers manager has made it clear he is on hand to listen, should Alexander-Arnold want to talk; he has urged the 21-year-old to not lose heart from this setback.

‘One thing’s for sure, I’ll always be there for Trent,’ said Gerrard. ‘It goes without saying, any second of the day. I wouldn’t make the first move. He’s a man himself. He knows where he’s at. Gareth Southgate makes the decisions there.

‘I don’t necessarily agree with that decision. But I’m not the England manager. I think Trent is the best English right back in the country. One thing I’ve learned from being a player is you can’t always be 10 out of 10.

‘When you do come off, you need that support, love and attention from your manager more than anyone else. So, I was surprised by the decision but that’s my opinion and my opinion is not important in this.

‘Trent is a world-class right back, he’s the best right back the country has got. We’ve got other fantastic right backs by the way. But in terms of the loaded side of the question, I’m there for Trent and any of the other Liverpool players at any moment of the day.’