"You've got to take him" - Paul Merson says Southgate must bring "talented" Liverpool player to the World Cup

Sky Sports pundit, Paul Merson, has said Trent Alexander-Arnold must go to the World Cup and be included in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad.

Southgate is expected to announce the squad at 2pm on Thursday and there are still a few question marks over who will make the squad. Alexander-Arnold is one of those players.

According to Sami Mokbel, Fikayo Tomori and Marc Guehi both miss out which could boost the Liverpool defender's chances of making the squad.

What has Merson said about the Liverpool man?

Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said: "He [Trent Alexander-Arnold] will go. You've got to take him. He's a talented footballer. He's not a great defender but the kid can pass the ball.

"The first three games we play are going to be against teams who sit behind the ball so we need someone who is going to break them down."

Merson then took his opinion a step further: "I'd be shocked if he didn't start in the first few games where we're going to dominate the ball. I'd be shocked if we didn't have 70 per cent possession in those three games.

"For me, he has to start in those group games. I don't see that happening when we get to the knockouts and we have 47 per cent of the ball, though."

(Image via: Alamy)

Klopp would take his man to the World Cup

The Liverpool manager was always going to back his star player but Jurgen Klopp did admit Alexander-Arnold's defending isn't always 'good'.

Speaking in September, Klopp said: "Yes, there are other situations where he was not aware (enough) or there was a challenge he should have won — true.

"He is a good defender, he doesn't always defend good, that is true as well, but that is what we're working on, he is a young player, he is 23.

"My point of view, it’s an easy pick. Whichever team I would coach in the moment, I would sign him because he is exceptional," added the Liverpool boss.