Virgil Van Dijk has insisted that Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in England right now.
Speaking via Football Daily after last night’s win over Rangers, Van Dijk addressed Trent’s position in the national team.
He’s [Trent] developed as one of the best right-backs in the country. In the end if he doesn’t make the squad, that’s on Southgate. He makes the decisions, and everyone has to respect his decision,” said the Dutch defender. “The only thing he [Trent] can do is perform at the club. Obviously, the last couple of weeks have been difficult for all of us but hopefully we can find the right form again.”
Alexander-Arnold showed that he’s up for the fight of winning a World Cup spot with a terrific free-kick goal last night.
Trent’s credential not in question
That Alexander-Arnold is one of the best right-backs in the country is simply not up for debate. The 23-year-old has deservedly been voted into the PFA Team of the Year three times in his five full seasons in the Liverpool first-team.
Still in his early twenties, that’s a pretty good way to start. His creativity and range of passing has seen him earn accolades throughout the world of football.
There are a few other candidates for the crown, though. Unfortunately for Trent, a couple of them are also vying for his spot in the England squad.
One of those times the Liverpool man missed out on the Team of the Year, Kyle Walker filled his spot. The Manchester City defender is favoured by Gareth Southgate and is one of England’s most consistently picked players.
Then there’s Reece James who is another often chosen ahead of Alexander-Arnold.
Both James and Walker are fine full-backs, no question about that. But are they on Trent’s level? From a technical standpoint, almost certainly not.
Van Dijk is always going to come out to bat for his teammate. Liverpool have a close-knit squad who have won the lot together.
But really, if Southgate can’t forge a place for him in a 23-man squad, that really is on him. Alexander-Arnold can only do so much if the man he’s trying to impress simply won’t be convinced.
