Gareth Southgate will NOT include Trent Alexander-Arnold in his England squad for this summer’s European Championship, Gabriel Agbonlahor tells talkSPORT

Gareth Southgate will leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of his England squad for the European Championship finals this summer, reckons Gabby Agbonlahor.

The Liverpool right-back was a surprise omission from the latest Three Lions squad for the World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland.

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As well as winning the Champions League and the Premier League in the past two years under Jurgen Klopp, Alexander-Arnold has featured prominently for England and is widely regarded as one of the most highly-rated youngsters in world football.

Like many of his Liverpool teammates, the 22-year-old has endured tough times during the season – especially when the Reds lost four games in a row back in February.

He was superb in Liverpool's win over Arsenal at the weekend, though, with boss Klopp describing him as 'world class' and questioning why Southgate left him out.

However, Agbonlahor told talkSPORT's Sports Breakfast that Kieran Trippier, Kyle Walker and Reece James are all now ahead of Alexander-Arnold in Southgate's pecking order - and he expects it to remain that way.

“He hasn’t been at his best, but he is still a great footballer,” Agbonlahor said of Alexander-Arnold.

“But it’s a really tough one with England because you look at Reece James; he is very good going forward, he’s decent defending.

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“Trent Alexander-Arnold is very good going forward, but not as good defensive-wise.

“Kyle Walker is definitely going to be in the squad because he can play centre-half as well, Trippier is playing well at Atletico Madrid.

“So as much as Trent hasn’t been in his best form, maybe it’s just that Southgate fancies these other right-backs ahead of him and I think he doesn’t make the squad, for me. I don’t think he takes him.

“I would take him, but I don’t think he [Gareth Southgate] takes him because Kyle Walker can play right-back and as a centre-half in a three.”

England secured three wins from three from their World Cup qualifying games in the international break.

Despite the likes of Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer calling for Alexander-Arnold to get a recall, Agbonlahor believes Soughgate may not reverse his decision due to perceived defensive frailties to the youngster’s game.

He added: “If Trent Alexander-Arnold played in the three games England played in last time they met up, he would have had outstanding games.

“But would you want him playing right-back if you’re getting to the latter stages against a Portugal or a France when the better players come in?

“Or, do you want a Kyle Walker? A quicker right-back, or a Reece James who is better at defending? So it’s tough and I think everyone is going to be split on it.”