Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold has been informed he will struggle to get into England's World Cup squad
Alexander-Arnold looking on in a warm-up
Ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been sent another brutal message(Image: (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images))
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Trent Alexander-Arnold has been sent a brutal World Cup message by ex-England international Stuart Pearce. The former Liverpool defender has endured a nightmare first few months at Real Madrid with injuries seeing him make just 11 appearances.
Those muscular issues and the form of others has seen Alexander-Arnold left out of all three England squads this campaign. His chances of featuring in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad now appear to be dwindling with Pearce offering a clear verdict on why he is unlikely to be in the United States this summer.
He told Betway: "No I don't [see him making it into to the squad], if truth be known. I'm not sure the manager's a big lover of him, personally. I think Reece James is a favourite of his and I think he's got other options that he prefers. I don't think he's getting enough football at the moment in Madrid to actually really stake a strong claim."
Alongside James, who spent time working with Tuchel at Chelsea, the German has called upon Djed Spence for that role with centre-backs Jarell Quansah and Ezri Konsa also being deployed there.
Alexander-Arnold's immediate focus will be getting back fit and into the Real team again. Federico Valverde has been deployed at right-back in recent weeks with the 27-year-old having been absent since early December, but new head coach Alvaro Arbeloa does not plan to use the former there for the foreseeable.
Despite that, Spanish outlet El Nacional have claimed that he has sat down with Alexander-Arnold to explain he's not in the club's long-term plans and that he should look for a new club this summer.
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Contrasting reports from England later arrived, stating that this is not the case and that Alexander-Arnold is set to stay at the club for the 2026/27 season and beyond.
An exit in the foreseeable cannot be ruled out though and a move back to his boyhood club could be on the table but that does seem unlikely even after his comments upon leaving.
He told Liverpool's website: "There's no doubt about it, I'll be back. I'd love one day to be able to bring my kids to Anfield and show them that's where I've played, and to show them all the videos and highlights of what we were able to achieve together."
In a message to supporters, he added: "Thank you for the support, thank you for the love that I've always felt, thank you for always having my back.
Alexander-Arnold running in a training session
Trent Alexander-Arnold is working his way back to full fitness at Real Madrid(Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)
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"I will always love the club, I will always love the people of the club, I will always love the fans and the supporters. Even though I'm leaving as player, I'll always be a Liverpool fan."
Alexander-Arnold has already returned to Anfield this season with Real drawing his former club in the Champions League. He had missed the previous few weeks with injury, but was named in the matchday squad and received a frosty reception when warming up and as he was introduced for the final 10 minutes.
The two could meet again in Europe later this season with both teams having all-but confirmed top-eight finishes in the league standings.