Real Madrid legend Roberto Carlos claims Liverpool fullback Trent Alexander-Arnold and Tottenham’s Harry Kane would be the two players from England’s squad that would make Brazil’s starting eleven.

Under manager Gareth Southgate, Alexander-Arnold has sometimes struggled to get off the bench for England, but Carlos says he is a big fan of the 24-year-old, along with Kane:

“Alexander-Arnold has to be there – because he’s among the best ones. Kane is a good player too. You have a good team, not just in terms of names but in terms of players who have trained well and are ready to play at a World Cup – or to play for the Brazilian national team. I’d say those two [Kane and Alexander-Arnold], but there are more. There’s a lot of quality in the England team. You have a lot of quality.”

Carlos’s remarks about Alexander-Arnold won’t come as a surprise to any Liverpool fan, who are very much aware of his outstanding qualities, but there are plenty of doubters among the wider footballing community.

The fact that Carlos rates Alexander-Arnold above players like Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Manchester City’s Phil Foden, Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford and Chelsea’s Mason Mount shows he is doing something right.

Granted, the Liverpool defender’s form hasn’t been great this season but, if he goes out and has a great tournament in Qatar, then he will certainly silence many of those questioning his abilities.