Gareth Southgate is already on borrowed time in the eyes of many fans and yet the England national team boss looks to have sparked further anger from the supporters with his latest decision.
The Three Lions are gearing up for their sixth and final match of the UEFA Nations League group stage, with the continental powerhouse set to host Germany in what should be an interesting Wembley Stadium showdown.
Unfortunately, Kane and Co. have nothing left to play for bar pride as the Euro 2020 runners-up have already been relegated from League A, with the 1-0 defeat away to Italy on Friday confirming their drop.
Additionally, with this being their last scheduled game before the FIFA World Cup kicks off, fans were keen on seeing a younger, more vibrant squad fielded as they pray for a turnaround in form at Qatar 2022.
Unfortunately, two immensely talented players were left out of the squad for Monday's fixture. The manager needed only 23 men but called up 28 players, meaning five could not make the match squad.
And according to David Ornstein of the Athletic, the first huge name to get axed is none other than Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool superstar is one of many gifted left-backs competing for a spot in Southgate's squad but despite his brilliant displays at Anfield over the past few seasons, the Merseyside ace looks to be behind Reece James and Kyle Walker in the pecking order.
Trent Alexander-Arnold fit, available + taken full part in each session of England #NationsLeague camp. Despite not figuring v Italy or Germany, 23yo Liverpool right-back still a strong #WorldCup2022 option for Southgate @TheAthleticUK #ENG #ENGGER #LFC https://t.co/Shs5FvJKFR
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 26, 2022
Unfortunately, Trent hasn't enjoyed a brilliant campaign so far this term, which is probably a detractor. However, with England struggling to create opportunities in spite of their star-studded crop of players, the 23-year-old's creativity could be a necessity in Qatar.
Despite this, it was another omission that sparked the most outrage. Yet again, regardless of the outcry from the supporters to see him don the iconic Three Lions jersey, highly-rated center-back Fikayo Tomori was left out of the squad once again.
The 24-year-old continues to impress at AC Milan, having guided them to a Serie A win last season, but the former Chelsea man's struggles to get into Southgate's team remain. Things are made all the worse by the manager's persistence with Harry Maguire, whose poor form and lack of playing time at the club level have been points of contention.
Nonetheless, the Red Devils captain made the squad–and will likely start again–while the Rossoneri ace remains on the periphery and will play no part in the clash with die Mannschaft – alongside Bowen, Ward-Prowse, and Grealish, with Jack being suspended. Here are the best tweets in reaction to this Athletic report.
| Ivan Toney is included in England's matchday squad to face Germany
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 26, 2022
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Jack Grealish [Suspended]
Jarrod Bowen
Fikayo Tomori
James Ward-Prowse pic.twitter.com/68CNda69fF
Tomori is playing every week for a strong Milan side and won the title last season. Struggle to see how a defender of his speed, quality and ability on the ball cannot be worth a go in either of these England games
— Jacob Steinberg (@JacobSteinberg) September 26, 2022
Ridiculous Tomori will not have got a single minute in these two games https://t.co/TFHLLuieAb
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) September 26, 2022
If Tomori didn't get a game at the San Siro (his own stadium), infront of fans that love him and against an opposition he plays every week... I don't think we should be surprised Southgate didn't pick him vs Germany.
— Joe Thomlinson (@joethomlinson) September 26, 2022
He's probably our best CB too. Really bizarre.
Tomori left out of the squad for tonight's game! Was going to write a strong, well informed tweet about why it's the wrong decision. But instead, I'll just go with… LOL #ENGGER
— Harry Symeou (@HarrySymeou) September 26, 2022
What happens now is Tomori goes back to his club, has another excellent month while Prem based CBs continue to struggle, we get to Qatar and the manager claims he can't pick the in form one due to lack of international experience. Predictable because we've seen it all before. https://t.co/UM8Khzs4DU
— Nick Goff (@nickgoff79) September 26, 2022
Cannot understand a world in which Fikayo Tomori doesn't start for England tonight. If he's fit, the way he's played the last 18months, there's no reason why he shouldn't be close to the first choice centre half.
— Joe Flemons (@_ItsJJ) September 26, 2022