Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has withdrawn from the England squad for their upcoming matches against Ukraine and Scotland due to a hamstring injury. The 22-year-old sustained the injury during Liverpool’s recent victory over Aston Villa.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence comes as a blow to England manager Gareth Southgate, who was hoping to have the talented right-back available for selection. The defender has been a key player for both Liverpool and the national team in recent years.
The injury occurred during the second half of Liverpool’s 2-1 win over Aston Villa on Saturday. Alexander-Arnold appeared to pull up while chasing down an opponent, immediately signaling to the bench that he needed to be substituted. He was replaced by Neco Williams in the 90th minute.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed the injury after the match, stating that Alexander-Arnold felt his hamstring and they had to make the substitution as a precautionary measure. The extent of the injury is not yet known, but it is expected that the defender will undergo further assessments to determine the severity and recovery timeline.
Following the diagnosis, it was decided that Alexander-Arnold would not be fit enough to join the England squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Ukraine on Wednesday and Scotland on June 18. Southgate will now have to consider alternative options for the right-back position.
Alexander-Arnold’s withdrawal adds to the growing list of injury concerns for England ahead of the European Championships. Several key players, including Harry Maguire, Jordan Henderson, and Kalvin Phillips, are currently recovering from injuries and their availability for the tournament remains uncertain.
Despite the setback, Alexander-Arnold will now focus on his recovery and rehabilitation to ensure he can return to action as soon as possible. Liverpool will be hoping for a swift recovery as they continue their push for a top-four finish in the Premier League and progress in the UEFA Champions League.
England, meanwhile, will have to adapt their plans without one of their most talented defenders. Southgate will have to rely on the depth of his squad and make the necessary adjustments to ensure they remain competitive in their upcoming matches.
The news of Alexander-Arnold’s injury will be disappointing for both Liverpool and England fans, who were looking forward to seeing the young full-back in action. However, injuries are an unfortunate part of the game, and both club and country will now have to find suitable replacements to fill the void left by his absence.
