World Cup 2018: Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals how he discovered he was in the England squad
At 19 years of age, the uncapped right-back is the youngest player to have been named in Gareth Southgate's England squad
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Your support makes all the difference.Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed it was Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp who told him of his inclusion in Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad for this summer’s World Cup.
At 19 years of age, the uncapped right-back is the youngest player to have been named in this summer's England squad after impressing on both the domestic and European stage for Liverpool this season.
Klopp broke the “unbelievable” news to Alexander-Arnold before the Liverpool squad departed for their training camp in Marbella ahead of next week’s Champions League final against Real Madrid.
“It was an unbelievable moment to find out I was going to go to the World Cup, especially at a young age. It’s capped off a really good season for me,” he told Liverpool’s website.
“I found out (on Wednesday) morning, just before we came out to Marbella. The manager came and spoke to me just as we were getting on the plane.
“He asked me if I knew anything about the squad or anything yet. I said, ‘No’ and he said, ‘Have you got anything planned around the time of the World Cup?’ I was like, ‘No, no holidays or anything…’
“He said to me, ‘OK, good… You’re in the squad!’ It was a really proud moment. On England’s behalf, it was nice of them to let the manager tell me.”
Klopp expressed his pride at seeing the young Liverpudlian picked to represent his country at the World Cup in Russia.
“It is nice, a nice story,” Klopp said. “Gareth Southgate gave me a call this morning and told me that I am allowed to tell him, but then I had some press work to do and didn’t have time.
“So, in the bus to the plane, I saw Trent for the first time. I thought maybe he knew already and someone else had called him. I had the honour of telling him and it was nice to see his eyes. It’s fantastic, it’s well deserved, what a season. What a season! Can you be too young? No. You can be not good enough – but he is good enough.
“It’s just a wonderful little piece more which makes this season special, even before the last game (against Madrid).”
With Southgate expected to deploy a three-man defence in Russia, Alexander-Arnold is set to fight it out against the likes of Kieran Trippier and Kyle Walker for a spot on the right-hand side of England’s backline.
“I’m honoured, excited and feeling really proud,” he added.
“It wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for (my team-mates) so I have to thank them, the manager and everyone else who has supported me along the way. I have to say a special thanks to everyone, especially my family for helping me get so far.
“Everyone who has been there along the way, even going back to when I was really young, around the age of six.”
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