Gareth Southgate: Kieran Trippier ahead of Trent Alexander-Arnold in England pecking order

Gareth Southgate has delivered another England blow to right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold by telling him he is lagging behind Kieran Trippier in the World Cup pecking order.

Alexander-Arnold was one of five players left out of Southgate’s matchday squad for the final warm-up game against Germany, along with AC Milan central defender Fikayo Tomori.

Southgate reassured the five that their omissions for the Germany game had not automatically ended their World Cup hopes, but offered a damning verdict over Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold’s current status.

“The other night [against Italy], we didn’t need the left-back cover, but against Germany we did because of the way we went with the team so we needed Chilly [Ben Chilwell] on the bench and we had Kieran who, at the moment, I feel his all round game is ahead [of Trent],” said Southgate.

“I didn’t want any player to sit in the stand for two matches, so I think the way we manage a group of people has been a big strength for us in the tournaments and we need to do that.”

Alexander-Arnold, who missed the Euros through injury, has started just two England games in the last year, which has sparked criticism of Southgate from the likes of former England striker Gary Lineker.

Following last week’s defeat to Italy, Lineker posted a message on Twitter that said: “A gentle reminder that England’s most creative midfielder, @Madders10 was not in the squad of 28. And England’s most creative footballer, @TrentAA sat on the bench getting splinters in his a---…"

Addressing how he dealt with the five players, including Alexander-Arnold, who were not even among the substitutes against Germany, Southgate added: “I’ve had long conversations with all of them, been very clear with them about where they stand, what they need to improve upon, what they’re doing well so they’re very clear on where they sit.”

Alexander-Arnold was one of 12 players who did not play a single minute in the Italy and Germany games for which Southgate picked an enlarged 28-man squad, raising question marks over his handling of the group.

Some of those who missed out on places on the bench for the two matches are believed to have found out via social media after the news had been released on Uefa’s website, before Southgate had the chance to explain his decisions personally.

Southgate will have to cut his 28-man squad by at least two for the World Cup, even though, ideally, he would prefer to just take 23 players to Qatar.

He is scheduled to announce his World Cup squad on Thursday November 10 and said: “I don’t think 26 is an ideal number, I think it’s too many but I think every coach will feel that if you got problems with Covid and you took fewer, then you know what would happen… so realistically, it will be [26].”

Alexander-Arnold, Tomori, James Ward-Prowse and Jarrod Bowen were left out of the Germany squad, while Jack Grealish was suspended. Other than offering hope to those players, Southgate also refused to shut the door on Manchester United pair Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, and Arsenal defender Ben White.

“I think there are a couple of others that we are certainly not ruling out,” said Southgate. “Some of that will be dictated by fitness and availability. I have said it a few times, but countries are going to lose players and that’s a great shame. Normally going into a World Cup you have time to get people back. We are not gonna have that this time which potentially could rule players out for all teams.”