Thomas Tuchel warns Trent Alexander-Arnold that one defensive lapse could ruin England's World Cup - after Liverpool boss Arne Slot called out the Real Madrid-bound star for 'not doing enough' in trai

England manager Thomas Tuchel has warned Trent Alexander Arnold that one defensive mistake could ruin England’s World Cup.

Alexander-Arnold is approaching his final game as a Liverpool player on Sunday with Anfield boss Arne Slot having revealed he wasn’t always impressed with his work in training. Slot said on Friday that he told Real Madrid-bound Alexander-Arnold at the start of the season that he needed to improve his defensive play.

Now Tuchel has added his voice to the debate, saying: ‘Yeah, I can see that sometimes he relies heavily on his offensive contributions, and gives not so much emphasis on the defensive discipline and effort.

‘I think there is a point to it. This major impact that he had for Liverpool over so many years, if he wants to have this impact in the English national team, then he has to take the defensive part very, very seriously.

‘Because when we are talking, especially, about qualifying football and then tournament football, the one defensive error, the one moment where you are not 100 per cent awake, can be decisive, can be the moment where you pack your suitcases and go home.

‘We will put this all into consideration, but now is the moment to get to know him.

Thomas Tuchel has warned Trent Alexander-Arnold of his defensive responsibilities ahead of the next England camp

The right-back is approaching his final match Liverpool after announcing his decision to leave

Arne Slot revealed that he wasn't always impressed with the defender's application in training

‘I know him. I managed against him. I had phone calls with him. But now is the moment to feel him for nine or 10 days, feel him around the squad, see what he can do, what he can bring, and then from there we go.’

Alexander-Arnold faces a difficult afternoon at Anfield on Sunday. The 26-year-old was booed by his own fans two weeks ago when he played for the first time after revealing his intention to leave his boyhood club.

There are obvious fears it may happen again when he collects his Premier League winner’s medal after tomorrow’s game against Crystal Palace. Slot has expressed his hope that it won’t be the case but has also added his voice to the debate about Alexander-Arnold’s qualities.

'I wasn't completely happy with every single minute he was on the training ground,’ said the Liverpool manager about Alexander-Arnold’s pre-season work.

'In my opinion there were certain moments he could do more, to put it mildly.

‘That is what we talked about and combined with that I said to him: “You are a much better defender than everyone tells you. Unfortunately you don't show it all the time”.

‘There are not many players who can go round him because he is fast and agile and has a great mentality.’

Alexander-Arnold was named by Tuchel in a 26-man squad for the forthcoming World Cup qualifier in Barcelona against Andorra and the friendly with Senegal that follows in Nottingham.

The 26-year-old was booed by his own fans two weeks ago when he played for the first time after revealing his intention to leave Liverpool

Real Madrid-bound Alexander-Arnold has been named in Tuchel's latest England squad

The England manager has raised eyebrows by leaving out players like Jarrod Bowen, Harry Maguire, Jarrod Branthwaite and Dominic Solanke while once again including Jordan Henderson and also Ivan Toney – despite not yet travelling to Saudi Arabia to see the former Brentford striker play.

‘Ivan deserves to be with us,’ said Tuchel. ‘I told you I would try to put a visit to Saudi Arabia in my schedule but I didn’t make it so why not bring him over and let him travel to us?

‘This is a good occasion to meet new players and test new players and meet Ivan and see him in the environment.

‘I watched a handful of games and of course I watched clips and highlights. Other national teams pick players from Saudi Arabia and you don’t see a difference in their game, but I think we have to look at it individually, and what better way than to look at it than to look at it actually in camp?

‘Is he still on the level to compete with our players and be on that level?

‘At some point I need to go look myself, see the stadiums and the competition, the speed of the game, see the intensity of the duels.’

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is not in the squad after telling reporters after the FA Cup final that he needed a break.

Asked if Foden had asked to be left out, Tuchel said: ‘No. It is very important. He feels a bit misunderstood in his quotes.

The England manager has raised eyebrows by including Jordan Henderson and Ivan Toney

Manchester City midfielder Phil Foden is not in the squad after telling reporters after the FA Cup final that he needed a break

‘He said: “I said that I wanted to speak to the club and speak to the FA and to the coaches about what they think is best for me, and give them the full picture”.

‘With Phil, it is a mix between the performances since the last camp and his discomfort with his ankle.

‘I loved him as a person in camp. I was very positively surprised how he interacted and how he was. He was open, he was funny. I loved him in training. He was fantastic.

‘But even in the first camp, he could not translate it into the matches.’

Tuchel also confirmed that all 26 players will remain in camp for the duration, including the likes of Jude Bellingham – who will delay his shoulder operation until the back end of summer – Harry Kane and Cole Palmer – all of whom will play in the Club World Cup straight after.

‘I can see the argument for some players to leave early and to maybe change the squad or even nominate a squad without World Club Cup players,’ said Tuchel.

‘It was discussed. But very quickly we realised it’s one of five camps and only one year to go. Why send players away who we want to worship and cherish every day we are together? What signal would that send to the group?

‘I can see the argument of the clubs who would love to see their players have a bit of a rest but we have a strong argument for ourselves and for our goals that we want to reach.’

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