Former Arsenal star Martin Keown says Liverpool defenders Joe Gomez and Trent Alexander-Arnold should be key players for England at next year’s European Championships.

Gomez did not take any part in the 4-0 win against Kosovo last night due to a knee injury but Keown believes the 22-year-old should be partnering Harry Maguire in the centre of defence:

“Who starts at the back alongside Harry Maguire? I’d go with Joe Gomez. Southgate likes to pick players who play regularly for their clubs. Gomez has not been starting as much as he would like for Liverpool, but I’d break that rule for him.”

The TV pundit also feels that Alexander-Arnold should be favoured ahead of Kieran Trippier at right-back:

“The attack-minded Trent Alexander-Arnold does not always act as a right-back, but that is because he is one of the best going forward.”

There is a lot of football to be played between now and next summer so speculating on who will be involved in the England squad is something that should be done closer to the end of the season.

Most Liverpool fans will be purely focused on club football, though. They will be hoping Gomez’s injury is minor and that he hasn’t let the booing from England fans get to him in any way.

As for Alexander-Arnold, he will have a six-day rest before the Reds face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Saturday.