It took less than a week for Jurgen Klopp’s message to Trent Alexander-Arnold to be proven right following his return from a disappointing international break.
Having endured a below-par start to the season, plenty was said when the Liverpool defender was left out of Gareth Southgate’s matchday squad for England’s Nations League draw with Germany, having been left as an unused substitute for their defeat to Italy days earlier. With the Three Lions boss then coming out and admitting Reece James, Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker were all ahead of Alexander-Arnold in the pecking order, his World Cup place became under increasing doubt.
Klopp didn’t want to make unnecessary headlines when he was asked about Southgate’s view of the defender last week, though admitted when speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Brighton that he had held talks with Alexander-Arnold following his return from international duty. And it was here that his message of reassurance to the right-back was proven right.
