Cafu defends Trent Alexander-Arnold by insisting he ‘doesn’t understand’ why he isn’t being picked

Brazil legend Cafu defends Trent Alexander-Arnold again by insisting he ‘doesn’t understand’ why Gareth Southgate isn’t picking him at the World Cup, insisting the Liverpool star has ‘everything’ to flourish for England

Brazilian legend Cafu has defended Trent Alexander-Arnold, as he is unsure why England boss Gareth Southgate is not picking him at the 2022 World Cup.

The Liverpool right-back is yet to feature for the Three Lions in their opening two group-stage fixtures with Newcastle’s Kieran Trippier the preferred choice.

Alexander-Arnold also appears set to miss out on the third match against Wales this evening, with Manchester City‘s Kyle Walker potentially replacing Trippier in that position – meaning that he is very much the third choice at right-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (pictured) is yet to feature for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar 

Brazil legend Cafu (left) is unsure why Gareth Southgate is not picking Alexander-Arnold

Brazil legend Cafu (left) is unsure why Gareth Southgate is not picking Alexander-Arnold

The 24-year-old has been criticised heavily for his defensive displays this season, as Liverpool have struggled, leaving them sitting sixth in the Premier League.

Two-time World Cup winner Cafu, however, is firm on his stance that Alexander-Arnold should be in England’s starting line-up for his attacking attributes and he even compared him to his former team-mate Roberto Carlos, rather than fear his defensive downfalls.

‘I don’t understand why. He has everything: quality, dribbling, pace, but it’s always the same story, they say you are not defensive enough and you remain out,’ Cafu told Italian news outlet Gazetta Dello Sport.

The 24-year-old has been criticised heavily for his defensive displays this season at Liverpool

The 24-year-old has been criticised heavily for his defensive displays this season at Liverpool

‘Somebody used to say the same about Roberto Carlos and me, but I think we won something.

‘Unfortunately, full-backs are too robotic these days, they get the ball, pass it, and run, I don’t see movements without the ball and no one-two passes.’

The right-back has endured a below-par start to the season, even on an attacking front, having scored just once and only picking up two assists in 13 Premier League matches so far this campaign.

The former AC Milan right-back even compared him to his former team-mate Roberto Carlos

The former AC Milan right-back even compared him to his former team-mate Roberto Carlos

The former Roma and AC Milan right-back is just one of a long-list of admirers of Alexander-Arnold, but this is not the first time that he has sang his praises.

Cafu told BBC Sport at the end of last season:  ‘I have been following Alexander-Arnold and the campaign he has had at Liverpool. His progress over the last few years has been amazing and for sure is one of the best right-backs in the world.

‘He is young, strong and has developed hugely considering his age. He also has a lot of experience and I see a lot of similarities between him and myself.

‘We both had a will and commitment to attack, to go forward and have the boldness to shoot and to put the crosses in. The diagonal movements he makes on the pitch are also similar to what I was making as a player.’

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