Steven Gerrard expressed his surprise over Thomas Tuchel’s exclusion of Trent Alexander-Arnold from England’s 35-man squad for the final international break ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Despite a season marred by persistent injuries, the Real Madrid defender was expected to be part of the extensive call-up aimed at considering all potential candidates for the tournament in the United States.

Tuchel’s decision to omit Alexander-Arnold, even as he regains fitness at the Bernabeu towards the season’s end, seems to signal to the former Liverpool player that he might not be on the trip this summer.

“Yes, I was very surprised,” Gerrard remarked while offering his insights before Liverpool faced Brighton on Saturday morning. “We have some excellent options at right-back. Reece James, in my opinion, is world-class. Tino Livramento, despite his injuries, is versatile and can play on both sides.”

Gerrard continued, “I understand the selection process, but is Trent Alexander-Arnold among the top 35 players in this country? Absolutely.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hopes of travelling with England to the World Cup have been left dangling by a thread

Fellow former Liverpool star Steven Gerrard admitted that he was not just surprised, but disappointed with the decision

“There will be matches where England needs to break through a stubborn defense, and it can be incredibly frustrating. Alexander-Arnold is the type of player who can come off the bench and transform the game with a single pass. He’s that caliber of player.”

‘So I am surprised, and disappointed for him.’ 

However, Gerrard was open to considering other factors may have played a role in the German manager’s pick. 

‘But there’s a lot of other circumstances to take into consideration – how much has he played?’ Gerrard wondered aloud. ‘Is he physically in his best condition? Is there stuff going on off the pitch? 

‘Is it where (Tuchel) doesn’t want a group of players who are not going to be playing, or not in the first XI, who might be different people around the place? There’s a lot of things that might be taken into consideration before you select a squad for six weeks.’ 

Explaining his decision on Friday, Tuchel explained that he believes his chosen right backs – James, Livramento, Tottenham’s Djed Spence and Liverpool starlet Jarrell Quansah – offer a ‘slightly different profile’ to Alexander-Arnold. 

He also admitted that he had not spoken to the former Liverpool academy graduate since making the decision, and ‘did not know’ if this was the end of the road for the player’s international chances under his stewardship. 

Last year, Tuchel had highlighted Alexander-Arnold’s attacking contributions but expressed concerns over his defending.

‘I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions, and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort,’ Tuchel said last May.

‘I think there is a point to it. This major impact that he had for Liverpool over so many years, if he wants to have this impact in the English national team, then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.

‘Because when we are talking, especially, about qualifying football and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100 per cent awake, can be decisive, can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.’

The size of Tuchel’s squad is designed to give an opportunity for fringe players to audition during the first of two friendlies planned for the break, as well as a chance to ensure that players with a firmer grip on the starting XI get a well-deserved break amid a packed season.