---
title: "Darren Bent dismissive of U21 role for Trent Alexander-Arnold"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/darren-bent-says-u21-role-for-trent-alexander-arnold-would-be-belittling/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-03-31T10:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-31T10:00:00Z"
---

# Darren Bent dismissive of U21 role for Trent Alexander-Arnold

When [Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/03/31/on-this-day-perfect-peter-crouch-hat-trick-sinks-arsenal/) star [Trent Alexander-Arnold](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/03/30/glen-hoddle-claims-trent-alexander-arnold-has-dipped-in-form/)was a surprise omission from Gareth Southgate’s England squad there was a possibility the 22-year-old could be called into the nations Under 21 setup.

That would have been a ‘big slap in the face’ according to former[Premier League striker Darren Bent](https://www.premierleague.com/players/2098/Darren-Bent/stats).

The 37-year-old told [TalkSPORT](https://talksport.com/radio/listen-again/1616956200/) a decision to drop Alexander-Arnold to the youth ranks wouldn’t have been a fair one.

> That would be a big, big call that (TAA playing for England U21’s), he is still eligible to play for the U21’s, but for me, that is a big slap in the face. He has been brilliant since he got into Liverpool’s first-team and has been an international so for so long. All of a sudden then put him in the U21’s. I think that’s a slap in the face. It’s a bit too far.

Bent went on to discuss the [trophies the full-back has already accumulated](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/trent-alexander-arnold/erfolge/spieler/314353)in his young career, whilst also alluding to a dip in performance this season.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Whilst there’s little doubt Alexander-Arnold [struggled to reach his exceptional levels](https://www.sofascore.com/player/trent-alexander-arnold/795064)of previous seasons earlier on in the campaign – to bring his ability into question would be foolish.

Valued at £90m ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/trent-alexander-arnold/marktwertverlauf/spieler/314353)), the attacking full-back has already proven himself at the elite level on numerous occasions and would be a glaring omission from national team squads moving forwards.

Ultimately, however, the omission from the recent internationals is of benefit to Jurgen Klopp’s side – affording the ace a rest ahead of a[crucial set of fixtures](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/match/2020-21/first-team/fixtures-and-results).