“Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the national team: The decline of the full-back at Real Madrid.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold, one of the brightest talents in English football, is facing a challenging moment in his international career. The Liverpool right-back, who has always been regarded as one of the best in his position, was not called up by Thomas Tuchel for the England matches against Uruguay and Japan, raising questions about his future with the Three Lions. Tuchel’s decision, the national team coach, appears to be a combination of strategy and fierce competition for a place in the squad.

In the recent announcement of the squad, Tuchel selected an expanded list of 35 players, making it clear that opportunities for the World Cup in North America are at stake. Following an impressive qualifying phase, with eight wins and no goals conceded, the team seems to have a solid core, but precious spots remain up for grabs. Alexander-Arnold, for his part, finds himself on the sidelines of this battle.

The reasons for Alexander-Arnold’s absence are complex. Since the beginning of his international career, he has faced a tough fight for a starting position due to intense competition. Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier, both with a strong presence in international football, have been preferred by Gareth Southgate, complicating matters for the 27-year-old. During the 2018 World Cup, Alexander-Arnold participated as a promising 19-year-old, but since then, his journey with the national team has been filled with ups and downs.

Injuries and the evolution of international play have also played a significant role in his exclusion. Following his absence from Euro 2020 due to injury, his opportunities dwindled. At the 2022 World Cup, Alexander-Arnold made only one appearance as a substitute. The situation worsened under Tuchel’s leadership, where he participated just once, coming off the bench, raising questions about his form and position in the national team’s hierarchy.

What makes the situation even more intriguing is the fact that, even with Walker and Trippier out of competition, Tuchel opted to call up players like Tino Livramento and Djed Spence. This choice suggests that the coach is looking for a new player profile that better fits his philosophy, which prioritizes intensity and positivity in play. Alexander-Arnold’s absence from the squad, despite his vast experience and achievements with Liverpool, makes it clear that the coach is building a team that may not align with the style of play Alexander-Arnold offers.

Tuchel commented on the decision, stating that he spoke with Alexander-Arnold and that the choice was a sporting one. While he praised the player’s talent and what he can bring to a team, the coach hinted that the playing model he is implementing may not favor his best characteristics: “It’s a very difficult decision we made. There is no doubt about his talent, but we have created a slightly different playing model when he was not present in previous camps.”

With the pressure mounting and the countdown to the World Cup beginning, Alexander-Arnold finds himself at a crossroads. While Tuchel continues to monitor his club performance, the question remains: can the Liverpool full-back reclaim his spot in the national team, or is this the last time we see him fighting for his chance with the Three Lions? The answer could determine not only his international future but also his career in the years to come.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.