Steven Gerrard Expresses Surprise Over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Omission from England Squad
Steven Gerrard has voiced his surprise at Thomas Tuchel’s decision to exclude Trent Alexander-Arnold from the 35-man England squad for the final international break before the 2026 World Cup. Despite Alexander-Arnold’s recent struggles with injuries, the size of the squad was intended to include as many potential candidates as possible for the upcoming tournament in the United States.
By leaving Alexander-Arnold out, even as he returns to fitness at Real Madrid, Tuchel may have sent a clear message that the defender is unlikely to be part of the team this summer. For Gerrard, the decision came as both a shock and a disappointment, especially considering how recently Alexander-Arnold was seen as an essential part of the England squad.
‘Very much so, (I was surprised),’ Gerrard said ahead of Liverpool’s match against Brighton. ‘Listen, we’ve got some good options at right back, Reece James is world class in my opinion, (Tino) Livramento – I know he’s had a couple of injuries, but he can play both sides.’
Gerrard acknowledged that he understands the selection process, but questioned whether Alexander-Arnold was truly among the best 35 players in the country. He emphasized that Alexander-Arnold has the ability to change games with a single pass, especially in situations where England needs to open up play against a low block.
‘And there are going to be certain games where England have to open the door, they might be against a low block, and it’s really frustrating. And Alexander-Arnold is one of these players who can come off the bench, and completely change the game with one pass. He’s that level of a player. So I am surprised, and disappointed for him.’
However, Gerrard also considered other factors that may have influenced Tuchel’s decision. He raised questions about how much Alexander-Arnold has played this season, his physical condition, and any off-field issues. Gerrard also wondered if Tuchel wanted to avoid selecting players who were not guaranteed to start or who might create tension within the group.
‘There’s a lot of other circumstances to take into consideration – how much has he played?’ Gerrard pondered. ‘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.’
Tuchel Explains His Selection Choices
In explaining his decision, Tuchel highlighted that the selected right-backs – Reece James, Tino Livramento, Djed Spence, and Jarrell Quansah – offer a ‘slightly different profile’ compared to Alexander-Arnold. He also admitted that he had not spoken to the former Liverpool academy graduate since making the decision and was unsure if this marked the end of Alexander-Arnold’s international career under his management.
Last year, Tuchel praised Alexander-Arnold’s attacking contributions but expressed concerns over his defensive discipline. He noted that while Alexander-Arnold has had a major impact at Liverpool, he needs to take the defensive aspect of his game more seriously if he wants to make a similar impact for England.
‘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.’
Tuchel added that in qualifying and tournament football, a single defensive mistake could be decisive. ‘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.’
Squad Size and Future Opportunities
The size of Tuchel’s squad is designed to provide opportunities for fringe players to showcase their abilities during the two planned friendlies. It also allows players with a firm grip on the starting XI to rest after a demanding season.
This selection process reflects Tuchel’s approach to balancing experience with the need to evaluate new talent, ensuring that England is well-prepared for the challenges ahead.
