Wayne Rooney has Trent Alexander-Arnold theory after England bombshell

Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of the latest England squad by Thomas Tuchel, with Wayne Rooney putting forward a theory about the Real Madrid star

Former Premier League striker Wayne Rooney has offered his opinion(Image: Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney has claimed that Trent Alexander-Arnold cannot have been left out of England's latest squad for footballing reasons — putting forward a different theory about the ex-Liverpool ace.

Alexander-Arnold moved to Real Madrid last summer and has struggled with injuries since, but has begun to settle into life with the La Liga side. He helped Alvaro Arbeloa's side eliminate Manchester City from the Champions League and could yet win the league title, with Los Blancos four points behind Barcelona in the standings.

But this week, he was dealt a blow ahead of the summer's World Cup, with England boss Thomas Tuchel opting to leave him out of his roster of players for the friendlies against Uruguay and Japan.

"I know it's a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw," Tuchel explained in a press conference. "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.

Trent Alexander-Arnold earned praise for his performance for Real Madrid against Manchester City(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)

"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."

Quansah has since picked up an injury and so he won't be linking up with the national team. It remains to be seen if that opens up a spot for Alexander-Arnold to return, but Rooney is baffled by the decision.

"The big surprise is Trent [not being included]," the former Manchester United and Everton striker said on his BBC podcast. "I find it incredible that he's not in the 35-man squad.

"It didn't sound like there was any way back for Trent in the squad, the way Tuchel spoke. But he should be in the squad.

"There's an argument he should start so to not have him in the squad feels a bit deeper than that.

"Now I know he's good mates with Jude Bellingham and there's been a few issues with Jude not being in the squad in recent times, so maybe he feels there's a clique there and he's trying to split that up. I don't know what the reasons are."

Liverpool.com says: Not taking Alexander-Arnold to the World Cup would be a strange move. As Rooney says, there is an argument that he should be in the starting XI, let alone a 35-man roster.

There is still a chance that Alexander-Arnold finishes the season strongly and goes to the US, Canada and Mexico, though. He may also reunite with Liverpool if the Reds and Real Madrid can both progress in the Champions League.