Jurgen Klopp’s thoughts are very clear on England snubbing Trent Alexander-Arnold

Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to be overlooked by England in their Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland – and Jurgen Klopp has already had his say on the player’s qualities

Jurgen Klopp has already delivered his verdict when it comes to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dearth of minutes for England.

The Liverpool right-back, 25, is behind Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier in the Three Lions pecking order and started Euro 2024 playing in midfield alongside Declan Rice before being replaced by Conor Gallagher and then Kobbie Mainoo.

Alexander-Arnold is misses out again in Saturday’s quarter-final tie against Switzerland despite the fact that Gareth Southgate is set to switch shape to a back three and wing-backs, with the majority viewing the Reds star as a perfect fit for a wing-back role.

Fans have previously debated over Alexander-Arnold’s best position with some questioning his defensive qualities. Klopp, however, has long insisted that such talk is rubbish.

“We are fine here because it’s completely different because I see him differently, it’s obvious,” Klopp said back in September 2022. “There are stories out there all the time that talk about him and say he’s not a good defender, but that’s not true.

“He is a good defender. He doesn’t always defend good, that is true as well, but that is what we’re working on. He is a young player, he is 23. My point of view, it’s an easy pick. Whichever team I would coach in the moment, I would sign him because he is exceptional. Is he always exceptional? No.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be left out of England’s starting XI vs Switzerland ( 
Image:
Getty Images)

Former Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville warned on the eve of the tournament that it was imperative for England to find a way to get Alexander-Arnold into their team regularly over the coming years due to his ability.

Speaking on ITV, he said: “I think [playing him in midfield] works for now. The only thing I would say is that we could look back in five, six, seven, eight years if we don’t get Trent Alexander-Arnold [playing] international football and regret how we have handled him. He is one player that I would describe as world-class at what he does – there’s no doubt about that. He’s unique in terms of his delivery [and] his set-piece play.

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“We know Gareth loves set-pieces. He’ll have Saka with his left-foot but he won’t want to put Rice on set-pieces, so I think the idea of having Trent in there isn’t just to sort of get that second midfield player that sort of beefs it up a little. Mainoo, Wharton and Gallagher are not ideal either and I do think he wants that second one in there.”

He continued: “We’re talking about Trent Alexander-Arnold here. No-one ever doubts the fact that he’s special. Really special. And we’ve mishandled special players for 20, 30, 40 years. We’re trying to get him into the team so lets see how it goes. It could work brilliantly today.”