'I think': Sammy Lee says he's got something 'controversial' to say about Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold

By Ben Evans

Liverpool fans will be hoping that the World Cup break gives Jurgen Klopp time to sort out his side.

The Reds have been a shadow of the consistent team their fans have become used to over the past few seasons.

Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sammy Lee has been speaking about England’s potential World Cup squad.

Plenty of Klopp’s squad will be heading to Qatar next month, meaning he has fewer players to work with to discover what’s been going wrong.

One player whose winter plans are currently up in the air is Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The right-back seems to be the player who splits opinion most of whether they should be in Southgate’s squad.

However, Lee believes that Alexander-Arnold has to go to the World Cup because of his creative attributes.

The 24-year-old will be hoping to add to his 17 England caps next month.

He hasn’t played a minute in any of England’s last five internationals.

However, Lee insists Alexander-Arnold has to go to the World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold has to go to the World Cup – Lee

 Sammy Lee was a player and caretaker manager at Anfield before joining up with Sam Allardyce as his number two.

He clearly still has a soft spot for the club, and wants to see Liverpool’s first choice right-back in Qatar.

“Controversial for everyone out there. Trent has to go for me.” Lee said.

“I think it’s symptomatic of everything that is going on with Liverpool. The effect of missing out on the quadruple by a very narrow margin has affected them all.

“It’s certainly affected him and he’s one of the most influential players.

“Even now he’s not at his best moment, but I think he will improve. His creativity, his delivery and set pieces for me.

“We know the question marks against him about his defending, but you have him in the squad and allow him to change games.”

Plenty of pundits have been having their say on Alexander-Arnold’s World Cup ambitions.

Rio Ferdinand has said it would be ‘a joke’ is he didn’t travel with the squad.

However, Michael Owen has stated he’s worried about his chances of making the trip to Qatar.

Injuries to Kyle Walker and Reece James have certainly improved Alexander-Arnold’s chances.

Kyle Walker-Peters may have also been an option, but he’s also been ruled out.

Southgate has never been completely convinced by Trent’s suitability to his system.

However, functioning as a wing-back with three central defenders behind him should suit his attacking style.

It could reach a point where Alexander-Arnold has to go to the World Cup as Southgate has run out of options.