"Sorry..." - Arsenal star stunned after being told key Liverpool player won't be at the World Cup

Arsenal star Takehiro Tomiyasu looked surprised after learning that Liverpool's Thiago was not named in the Spain squad for the 2022 World Cup.

The 31-year-old Reds midfielder was left out of his nation's final 26-man lineup, despite being named in the preliminary squad.

He was not the only high-profile Spain player not included by boss Luis Enrique, with PSG's Sergio Ramos also missing out on selection.

Thiago was not picked for the last national squad in September due to injury. At the time, Enrique stated that the door was 'not closed' on any player searching for a way back in to the setup.

For Qatar, the former Barcelona boss opted to pick seven midfielders, with Los Cules stars Gavi, Pedri and Sergio Busquets among them.

He also selected Atletico Madrid duo Marcos Llorente and Koke, PSG's Carlos Soler and Manchester City's Rodri.

That left no space for Thiago, who will remain at Anfield for the early stages of the World Cup, with the midfielder likely travelling with the Liverpool squad for the Dubai Super Cup in December.

His exclusion was met with surprise by many fans - and Arsenal's Tomiyasu seems to have felt the same way.

Tomiyasu reacts to Thiago exclusion

The Gunners star, who is at this year's World Cup with Japan, spoke to reporters in the mixed zone prior to his country's opening group stage fixture. They face Spain in Group E on Sunday.

Tomiyasu was asked by Spanish outlet AS to name his favourite player from the Spain squad, to which he replied with the name of Thiago - unaware that the midfielder was not in the squad.

Takehiro Tomiyasu names his favourite Spain national team player: “Thiago.”

Journalist: “Thiago Alcantara? He’s not coming [to the World Cup].”

Tomiyasu: “He’s not coming?! Sorry, I didn’t know that!”

[AS] #afc pic.twitter.com/9u1s8PABgA

— afcstuff (@afcstuff) November 22, 2022

Upon being told the news, he appeared to be shocked in his response: "He's not coming?"

The defender then laughed, before adding: "Oh, ok. Sorry, I didn't know!"

Thiago was a regular at Euro 2020 last year, appearing in four of Spain's five games.

But he has not added to his 46 caps in 2022, and will end the year without a cap for the first time since 2012 - the year after the Liverpool midfielder made his senior debut.