Jamie Carragher has argued that England boss Gareth Southgate should start Trent Alexander-Arnold over Kieran Trippier at right-back.
Southgate announced his 26-man England squad for the World Cup on Thursday afternoon.
His selections at right-back were pretty straightforward after it was confirmed that Reece James would be missing the tournament.
The Chelsea defender would have likely started in Qatar had he been fit but he suffered a knee injury last month.
This left Southgate with Alexander-Arnold and Trippier as his obvious selections. Ben White is also an option if England play four at the back amid his great form this season for Arsenal.
Trippier has consistently been one of Southgate’s favourites during his time in charge of England and the in-form Newcastle star was key at last year’s European Championships.
He is a more reliable defender than Alexander-Arnold, with the Liverpool star often criticised over his defensive work.
But Alexander-Arnold is at his strongest going forward and he offers England something different than any other of Southgate’s full-backs.
Carragher has backed Alexander-Arnold to start in Qatar as he offers England “something a little bit special” that could open up their opposition.
“I like Trippier, I think he’s a good player, but the thing of, you know, I think he played left-wing back as well in the Euros,” Carragher told LadBible.
“I don’t see the left-wing back thing with Kieran Trippier. I think he’s a right-back. He’s a very good Premier League player, steady player.
“He’s done better in an English shirt, I would say, than Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“But I think in terms of doing something a little bit special, a little bit different against opposition who are gonna be deep and negative, I think the player you’d have to pick up is Trent.
“I don’t see a great deal of difference between Trent and Trippier in terms of set-pieces, he’s fantastic.
“I know he scored last season, this season, set one up, or set a few up, assists-wise, crosses, he’s a better defender.
“I think as an all-round package what you’re looking for, I think Tripper’s better than every one of them.”
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer does not feel that much separates Alexander-Arnold and Trippier but he thinks that the latter is a “better defender”.
“I don’t see a great deal of difference between Trent and Trippier,” Shearer claimed.
“In terms of set-pieces, he’s fantastic. I know he’s scored last season, this season, set a few up. Assists-wise, crosses.
“He’s a better defender. I think as an all-round package what you’re looking for, I think [Trippier] is better than everyone of them.”
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