Former Liverpool defender Phil Thompson isn't surprised Trent Alexander-Arnold was ignored for England selection this week.

Alexander-Arnold was a peripheral figure at the World Cup and Thompson has warned that fierce competition for a starting spot on the right of England's defence won't go away.

"I'm not really surprised about Trent being omitted from the squad," said Thompson to the Daily Star. "Reece James was fit, along with Kieran Trippier.

"James had returned back from a long-term injury and Trippier is coming back into a bit of form.

"Trent hasn't been great since the World Cup - his absence wasn't a big shock really."