Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that he would "create headlines" if he gave his honest opinion on Trent Alexander-Arnold's lack of game time for England.
Despite coming up with 19 assists for the Reds in all competitions last term, the 23-year-old has struggled to win over Gareth Southgate, who is blessed with numerous right-back options.
Alexander-Arnold was called up to the England squad for September's Nations League fixtures with Italy and Germany, but he failed to play a single minute in either game.
The right-back was an unused substitute in the 1-0 defeat to Italy and was left out of the squad entirely for the 3-3 draw with Germany, with Kieran Trippier and Reece James preferred out wide as the Three Lions suffered relegation to League B.
England had endured a run of five hours and 26 minutes without an open play goal before scoring three times against Germany, leading to heavy criticism of Southgate's decision to freeze Alexander-Arnold out.
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Speaking to the media ahead of Saturday's Premier League contest with Brighton & Hove Albion, Klopp held his tongue on his "honest opinion" regarding the situation and refused to publicly question Southgate's selection calls, but he confirmed that he would select Alexander-Arnold if he took the Three Lions reins.
"Do you really want to open this box? I mean it. If you ask me for my honest opinion, it will create headlines," Klopp sharply responded, as quoted by Anfield Watch. "A manager picks a player or not, and I would decide obviously differently but I'm not in charge of this team.
"I see him differently, that's clear, that's obvious. People say he's not a good defender, that's not true. He doesn't defend always good, that's true but we are working on it, he's only 23.
"I would pick Trent. He is exceptional. England are blessed with players in this position. Reece James can play 3 at the back, he did that well for Chelsea. It's Gareth's decision. I see it different - it doesn't mean it's right or wrong.
"Trent came back not in a party mood but he accepts the manager's decision because he is extremely bright. The manager decides and more often than not here, it is the case he is picked. It's clear, he's a world-class player."
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Southgate defended his decision to leave 17-cap Alexander-Arnold out of the squad for the Germany game, claiming that Trippier's all-around game was ahead of the Liverpool man's.
Klopp also issued an injury update ahead of the visit of the Seagulls, confirming that Andy Robertson, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Curtis Jones would all miss out again.
On a brighter note, Ibrahima Konate is now back in training after recovering from a pre-season knee injury, but the French centre-back still needs time to build up his match fitness.
Calvin Ramsay and Caoimhin Kelleher are set to take part for the Under-21s as they edge closer to first-team action, with the former still waiting for his first appearance for Liverpool since arriving from Aberdeen in the summer.
Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota will all be fine to play this weekend after returning late from international duty, as Liverpool aim to improve on their eighth-placed standing in the Premier League table.
Ben Knapton
