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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Keifer MacDonald

England squad confirmed for World Cup 2022 as Gareth Southgate springs surprise

Both Liverpool and Everton have two representatives in England's 26-man squad for the Qatar World Cup, Gareth Southgate has confirmed.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson have been included from Jurgen Klopp's side. Meanwhile, on-loan Wolves defender Conor Coady and Jordan Pickford are the representatives from across Stanley Park.

The selection of the Reds' No.66 had been a topic of hot debate in recent months and years, with Alexander-Arnold being omitted from the matchday squad for the Three Lions' Nations League finale with Germany in September after a difficult start to the season with Liverpool.

READ MORE: Carragher names his England squad for World Cup including two Liverpool stars

READ MORE: Everton set for major changes at Bournemouth as Frank Lampard faces nervous wait

The inclusion of both Pickford and Coady had been expected because of their importance in the run to the European Championships final last summer, with the Toffees' No.1 accumulating five clean sheets in his seven outings prior to the defeat against Italy at Wembley. However, Coady - who made the move to Goodison Park on a season-long loan from Midlands in the summer - despite not playing was hailed as England's "player of the tournament" by assistant manager Steve Holland.

Elsewhere, Leicester City midfielder James Maddison has been rewarded for his spectacular form in the Premier League this season with a first call-up in three years. After being snubbed for last summer's European Championships by Southgate, and the subsequent squads since, the 25-year-old boasts an impressive tally of 30-goal contributions in the Premier League since August 2021.

Newcastle's Callum Wilson has also been named as part of Southgate's travelling entourage, leapfrogging Ivan Toney, Tammy Abraham and Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. The 30-year-old has been a vital part of Eddie Howe's side in the opening months of the season and his six goals thus far have helped the Magpies keep pace with Arsenal and Manchester City, who they trail by just seven points.

The biggest surprise of the day arguably falls to the selection of Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher. There was late speculation over who would fill the final slot, but the 22-year-old has taken it.

Here is the full England squad for the 2022 Qatar World Cup:

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford (Everton) Nick Pope (Newcastle), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal).

Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Conor Coady (Everton), Eric Dier (Tottenham), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Luke Shaw (Manchester United), John Stones (Manchester City), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle), Kyle Walker (Manchester City) Ben White (Arsenal).

Midfielders: Jude Bellingham (Borussia Dortmund), Mason Mount (Chelsea), Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City), Declan Rice (West Ham), James Maddison (Leicester City), Jordan Henderson (Liverpool), Conor Gallagher (Chelsea).

Forwards: Marcus Rashford (Man United), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Jack Grealish (Manchester City), Harry Kane (Tottenham), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Raheem Sterling (Chelsea), Callum Wilson (Newcastle).

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