Shearer fires straight away and urges Alexander-Arnold to be in the England squad after a wonderful free-kick for Liverpool

ALAN SHEARER has shot down calls for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the England squad after the right-back scored a free-kick in Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League win over Rangers.

Alexander-Arnold, 23, has come under fire this season for poor defensive performances and was left out of the England squad for September’s Nations League games against Italy and Germany.

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His absence from England’s final World Cup warm-up session against Germany at Wembley last Monday has raised questions about whether the Liverpool ace will be brought to Qatar by Gareth Southgate.

But he proved why he could be a valuable option on Tuesday, scoring an emphatic free-kick in Liverpool’s Champions League group stage win over Rangers.

Alexander-Arnold opened the scoring from a set piece and received rave reviews on social media.

Journalist Henry Winter tweeted: “And that’s the quality Gareth Southgate can leave behind as #ENG goes to the Worlds.

“Trent Alexander-Arnold majestic free-kick. 1-0.”

But you don’t need Alexander-Arnold when you have Kieran Trippier, according to England and Premier League legend Shearer.

He answered and said, “But Trippier can do it too, Henry!”

Trippier is enjoying his time at Newcastle and has proven reliable in the last two tournaments for the Three Lions.

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The 32-year-old scored a free-kick in England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat by Croatia in 2018.

He also provided the template for Luke Shaw’s opening Euro 2020 game against Italy.

England lost on penalties on home soil at Wembley Stadium.

Alexander-Arnold addressed the criticism after the game.

The Premier League and Champions League winners admitted he has started the season slowly.

He said: “No matter what happens, I always try to think positively.

“People will say things, but for me it’s about going out and performing for the team.

“The only thing that matters is coming out here and getting the wins and helping the team win games.

“It was a slow start to the season for me, but I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”