EPL: It’ll be hard for you to start at World Cup – Ferdinand tells England star

By Adeleye Kunle

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand believes it would be difficult for Liverpool defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, to start for England at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Ferdinand said this after Alexander-Arnold made another defensive error for Liverpool in their Champions League 2-1 win against Ajax on Tuesday.

The England international failed to track the run from Steven Berghuis, whose cut-back was rifled into the net by Mohammed Kudus, cancelling out Mohamed Salah’s opener at Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp’s men went on to spare Alexander-Arnold’s blushes by winning the Champions League Group A match thanks to Joel Matip’s 89-minute header.

Speaking on BT Sport, Ferdinand said: “Is Jurgen Klopp saying to him ‘you’re in this team to create chances?’ Is he treating him like he’s a No 10 in this team from right-back?

“The game in the right-back position has changed so much. The likes of [Joao] Cancelo and Reece James are dictating games and getting more touches than anyone in the game.

“Is he telling him “the guys behind you, they’re responsible for defensive situations, and you go out there and play off the cuff” without the noose around your neck to be responsible defensively?

“I think it will be difficult for Trent to start for England, with the way Gareth has set his team up in recent months and time gone by