Jamie Carragher 'not surprised' by message Thomas Tuchel sent with Trent Alexander-Arnold snub

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Jamie Carragher has admitted he is unsurprised to see former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold overlooked by England once more, as Thomas Tuchel puts 'squad harmony over quality'. The ex-Reds full-back was a conspicuous absence from the German's squad as they prepare to contest the World Cup across North America this summer.

The 27-year-old's exclusion from the squad represented the latest setback in his career following his departure from Liverpool to Real Madrid . Alexander-Arnold's most recent outing for the Three Lions came 12 months ago when he came off the bench in the 1-0 victory over Andorra during their World Cup qualifying campaign.

Having initially struggled to settle at the La Liga giants while also battling injury troubles, the Champions League and two-time Premier League winner, Alexander-Arnold played his part in attempting to rescue Los Blancos' season as they were forced to finish behind rivals Barcelona .

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Carragher suggested that certain weaknesses in the 27-year-old's game played a role in Tuchel's decision-making, with the former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss choosing squad harmony over quality — though overall, he was not taken aback by the outcome.

He told Sky Sports : "We know Thomas Tuchel's stance regarding Trent. When you look at some of the players in the squad it looks as though he's picking centre-backs who can do a job at right-back rather than out and out right-backs.

"We know there's the special qualities that Alexander-Arnold has. That's why Real Madrid wanted him.

"The reason why Liverpool supporters were so upset to lose him. The qualities Trent has, and maybe the deficiencies is maybe why Tuchel hasn't picked him.

"He's looking at the negatives instead of the positives. The way he wants to set his team up, maybe the strengths don't get amplified as much in a Tuchel team as they do a Jurgen Klopp team. I wouldn't say I'm overly surprised that he hasn't gone for Trent.

"I said a few weeks ago that he's picking team harmony, togetherness and spirit over quality and talent. I think this is another decision that just proves that."

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His performances for Real Madrid, however, were not enough to persuade Tuchel to hand him a place on the plane. And following Tino Livramento being forced to pull out of the squad with a calf injury on Tuesday, Alexander-Arnold was passed over once again, with Chelsea centre-back Trevoh Chalobah receiving the call-up instead.

Alexander-Arnold's club team-mate Jude Bellingham will be representing the Three Lions, though he has also encountered questions over his involvement. The Real Madrid midfielder finds himself at the centre of discussion surrounding whether he will earn a place in the starting line-up.

However, Manchester United defender Harry Maguire suggested the choice to overlook Alexander-Arnold was more about avoiding potential distractions and unwanted media attention ahead of their opening group fixture. Speaking on the Rest is Football podcast, he said: "When someone drops out like that, I do believe [with] the squad, you want to call up somebody with a minimum of fuss, no real media attention or disruption to the camp.

"So I do believe when someone did get injured, I don't think Trent would've ever been called up because the questions and everything will be about him, if it's a big game, it's about Croatia .

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