Carragher 'unsurprised' as Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire snubbed for England after Livramento injury
Quick summary
Jamie Carragher says he is unsurprised that Trent Alexander-Arnold and Harry Maguire were not called up to replace injured Newcastle defender Tino Livramento in the England squad.
What happened
Tino Livramento's injury opened a spot in the England squad, but rather than recalling Trent Alexander-Arnold or Harry Maguire, the coaching staff turned to other options. Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher expressed that he was 'unsurprised' by both omissions, suggesting neither player is currently in the national team plans. The decision highlights the ongoing debate about Alexander-Arnold's role in the England setup despite his quality at Liverpool, and Maguire's diminished standing at Manchester United affecting his international career.
Chance analysis
The continued omission of Alexander-Arnold from England squads signals a tactical preference from the coaching staff that likely won't change before the World Cup, making him a fantasy/relevance dead pick for international windows. Maguire's situation at Manchester United continues to limit his international prospects. For prediction systems, the England defensive options for upcoming matches are now more settled around the preferred alternatives rather than these two high-profile names.
Alexander-Arnold and Maguire face further marginalization from England, while Livramento's absence weakens Newcastle's defensive options for upcoming matches.
Treat Alexander-Arnold and Maguire as unlikely England picks going forward; England's defensive depth chart has effectively moved on from both.