Jürgen Klopp backs Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of World Cup

Jürgen Klopp on Friday supported young Reds defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (17 caps, 1 goal), who risks missing the next World Cup in Qatar.

England coach Gareth Southgate (in office since 2016) has chosen to do without the 23-year-old Liverpool right-back for the last two Nations League matches in Italy (on the bench, defeat 1-0) and against Germany (in the stands, 3-3).

Walker, James and Trippier in front of him

This is not a good sign for the player trained in Liverpool in view of the World Cup which begins in less than two months (November 20 – December 18), because Southgate has shown a certain preference, in this position, for Kyle Walker (Manchester City), Reece James (Chelsea) and Kieran Trippier (Newcastle).

Klopp is aware that his side’s attacking style of play, with Alexander-Arnold often in the extra midfield position, is quite different from that of Southgate’s England, which demands more effort from their defenders. But he insists his player “is a good defender”even if it is  » still young « .

Alexander-Arnold missed the Euros in 2021

Even if he “can still progress”believes Klopp, « offensive impact » of Alexander-Arnold is  » Very important «  for Liverpool and he would be for “any team in the world”. Injured before the last Euro, Alexander-Arnold could not participate in the competition with the « Three Lions » who climbed to the final, beaten by Italy at Wembley.