Social media explodes over Southgate's snub of TAA

Like Gareth Southgate, Trent Alexander-Arnold has also come under fire at the start of the season. The full-back has been involved in a Liverpool goal this campaign, but his defensive performance is being questioned. His efficiency. For one, the scouser has been left out of the squad for Monday night's Nations League game against Germany. He has only played one game for England in 2022. The other day, in Italy, he was on the bench but didn't even get in.

With nothing at stake, and with relegation to League B of the Nations League already guaranteed, the game at Wembley against the Teutons looks like the last chance to earn a place for some of the players who have failed to convince this season. It is the last one before the start of the World Cup against Iran, the United States and Wales. Fikayo Tomori, Jarrod Bowen and James Ward-Prowse also drop out of the squad. As is Jack Grealish, although the Manchester City player is out through suspension. Ivan Toney will be in the squad for Wembley. The Brentford striker impressed in his debut Premier League campaign, and this term he already has five goals and two assists to his name.

<strong>More Liverpool news:</strong>

The player Liverpool would offer Dortmund in Bellingham deal

The picture that has Liverpool fans excited about Bellingham's signing

67 days after landing his dream job, as he described it, Sam Allardyce was forced to resign from his post. A Daily Telegraph investigation uncovered that the manager had used his position at the FA to advise on how to circumvent rules and regulations when transferring players. Gareth Southgate took over, first as interim. Then permanently. In came a new way of understanding the game, a new philosophy. The influence of successful coaches from the continent was already visible in the Premier League, with Southgate's arrival, also in the English national team. The Three Lions have undergone a renewal over the last six years. Gone was the golden generation of Lampard, Gerrard, Rooney and Co. No success.

The criticisms continue, and the rumours continue. Although this time it is the coach himself who is receiving them. Southgate remains committed to Harry Maguire, even though the Manchester United captain has lost his place at his own club and has less pace. Nor have the game and some of the results in the Nations League been going their way. That's five games without a win, England's worst record since 2014. With two months to go until the World Cup, Southgate is well aware that his future depends on what happens in Qatar, even if his contract runs out in December 2024.

<strong>Trent Alexander Arnold will not play against Germany </strong>

"I'm not stupid," he told Sunday's news conference. "The only thing I'm focused on at the moment is the game against Germany, and then having a good performance and a good result. I know that, in the end, I will be judged by what happens at the World Cup. Contracts are irrelevant in football, because a coach can have three, four or five years of contract, but you accept that if the results are not good it is best to leave. It won't be any different with me, I'm not arrogant enough to think that my contract will somehow protect me.