Trent Alexander-Arnold's plan to avoid Liverpool "dip" and pass England audition

Trent Alexander-Arnold will be given a World Cup audition - before finally being allowed to jet off on holiday.

Alexander-Arnold played a huge part in Liverpool 's 63-game marathon season and could have had an extra few days off after the Champions League final before joining up with England. But Alexander-Arnold opted to go straight to St George's Park after the club's parade in Merseyside as he wanted to be sharp and match fit to finally try and stake his claim to be England's first choice at right-back.

It means the Liverpool full-back is likely to get his chance against Hungary and in Germany before then being allowed to leave camp to recharge his batteries with a summer holiday. Alexander-Arnold has won the lot with Liverpool, is revered as world-class at club level but has yet to be given the opportunity to show that form for England.

Despite finishing the season with a defeat in the European Cup final, Gareth Southgate says the parade actually gave him a lift. England boss Southgate said: "I've had a conversation with him and Jordan Henderson ahead of their game, the final.

"We talked about the balance for them given that everybody else had a break coming into this camp and the seasons they'd had individually and where they felt they were. He wanted to come in to do the first part of this camp to keep his rhythm going and to keep his physical preparation going rather than have that dip and then try to come back up again.

"I have to say he has taken great heart from the parade. I think that was a significant lift for him and the rest of the team. Of course they were disappointed to lose the final but I think the connection they had with the fans that day has definitely been important for him and has allowed the whole team to move on.

"They weren't sure it was the right thing but now they've done it, they absolutely recognise that it was, so I think that was a lovely moment for all of them."