Thomas Tuchel addresses Trent Alexander-Arnold snub after Liverpool 'suffering'

England manager Thomas Tuchel has addressed why he has snubbed Trent Alexander-Arnold in his final squad before the World Cup after "suffering" against him when he was at Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid.(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

England boss Thomas Tuchel says it is a sporting decision to leave the former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his final squad before the summer's World Cup.

Real Madrid man Alexander-Arnold was a surprise omission from the 35-man roster that has been named ahead of matches with Uruguay and Japan. England will take on New Zealand and Costa Rica in June before the tournament in the US, Canada and Mexico begins later that month.

"I know it's a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw," Tuchel said. "These tough decisions come from the job.

"It's a sporting decision. We stick with Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah who can all play at right full-back. It's a decision for Dominic Solanke and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, which I don't know in comparison with Ollie Watkins.

"I have a clear picture of him, I've seen him in tournaments, in qualifying football. I want to look at two other players to get a better picture and get a clear opinion.

"It's a tough one, it's a big name, a huge talent and a big career, but I know what Trent can give us and have decided to stick with the players we have."

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 10: In this image released on February 12,2026, England manager Thomas Tuchel poses for a photograph at St Georges Park on February 10, 2026 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. It has been announced that he and his coaching staff have extended their contracts to 2028. (Photo by Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

When asked what those players have that Alexander-Arnold does not, Tuchel explained that there are attributes that he prefers with the others.

"A slightly different profile, I would say," the German outlined. "It's more the evidence we have that they were very good in September, October and November, than it has anything to do with what Trent cannot offer.

"I know very well what Trent can offer us. I played many times against him and suffered when he played against my team at Liverpool. I know what he can give, but at the moment, we have evidence of how good we were in September, October and November.

"But the players who are in camp for right back, they have to push for their ticket, they have to show they deserve this spot."

Alexander-Arnold could yet end up playing at Anfield again this season. Liverpool will take on PSG next in the Champions League, with the winner of that tie taking on either Real Madrid or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.

While his first season in Spain has not gone to plan, Sergio Aguero says the tide is starting to turn.

"Trent has had injury problems, but his quality has never been in doubt," the Argentine Premier League legend told Stake. "Now he’s back, and he’s done very well.

"He has a great right foot and is a fantastic provider of assists. Real Madrid has recovered a great player. Whatever happens in the Champions League, of course he can be a success.

"They’re fighting for La Liga and they have a squad full of great players. We’ll have to see how the injury situation develops because they’ve had many."