Laura Woods hits out at 'crazy' Trent Alexander-Arnold decision

Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold's hopes of heading to the World Cup this summer look to be fading fast after another snub from England manager Thomas Tuchel

Laura Woods has hit out at Thomas Tuchel's decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his England squad(Image: Getty Images)

TNT Sports host Laura Woods has hit out at Thomas Tuchel’s latest snub of Trent Alexander-Arnold as the former Liverpool star faces missing out on the World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold was not named in the England squad for this month’s international break, despite Tuchel naming an expanded list of players, and a number of his rivals at right-back being unavailable.

The Reds’ former vice-captain has not played for his country since June 2025. Although he endured a difficult start to life at Real Madrid following his exit from Liverpool, with injuries limiting his playing time, he has now begun picking up his form.

That though hasn’t been enough for Tuchel to select him, and with just a few months to go before this summer’s World Cup, it is looking increasingly likely that Alexander-Arnold won’t be on the plane to the United States.

Tuchel’s decision to once again snub Alexander-Arnold has proved to be controversial among some pundits, with Woods the latest to add her bemusement to the crowd.

Speaking to BetMGM, she said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold should be in the England squad at the very least, especially considering how many players Thomas Tuchel picked.

“He plays for Real Madrid! How can we not take him?

Trent Alexander-Arnold has not played for England since June 2025(Image: Matt McNulty - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

“I went to their game against Manchester City, where they won 3-0, and Trent was brilliant. He worked hard and he defended, which is always the biggest criticism against him.

“I also think if you have a solid defence then you can let him go forward and play those amazing passes – let Trent do what Trent does best. England will need that at the World Cup.

“You don’t have to play him every game. It’s horses for courses but leaving him out entirely is crazy to me.

“Imagine his Real Madrid team-mates learning he’s being left behind by England. He’s not had the best start at Madrid but he’s also had injuries and it’s a lot moving abroad.

“It’s madness not to even include him. For his passing range alone he should be on that plane.”

Alexander-Arnold has had a fractured relationship with the England national team ever since his days at Liverpool, with the right-back often overlooked by Gareth Southgate during his time in charge of the Three Lions.

Roy Keane has been one of Alexander-Arnold’s most frequent critics, and the former Manchester United captain continues to lay the blame at the 27-year-old’s door.

"If you're a player like Trent left out of a 35, 37-man squad, I still think that's on you," Keane said on the Stick to Football podcast last week.

Roy Keane continues to blame Trent Alexander-Arnold for his lack of opportunities with England(Image: The Overlap: Stick to Football)

"That's still on the player, they must go, 'How have I not done enough to persuade a manager to not get me in the squad?' He must have done something when he's been in the squad.

"Tuchel said from day one, 'I need lads who are good travelers and who are good to be left out.'

"There's something about him that he just doesn't like. There's something amiss, managers don't love every player in the squad, but for him to be going, 'I'm not sure on him from a footballing point of view and a personality point of view,' it's a sore one.”