Thomas Tuchel's Liverpool snub is a damning reflection on standards slipping at Anfield
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Liverpool's pitiful title defence and dramatic demise this season has come at a cost, in terms of Thomas Tuchel snubbing the English talent available at AnfieldIt feels symbolic of Liverpool's rapid decline this season. And a damning reflection of how standards have slipped at one of the world's biggest and proudest football clubs.For the first time since 1986, England's squad heading to the World Cup will not have a single Liverpool player in it.
But the absence of Liverpool's influence in the Three Lions squad is almost unthinkable.READ MORE: Real Madrid eye Trent Alexander-Arnold replacement as move 'hasn't lived up to expectations'READ MORE: Marcus Rashford's transfer stance crystal clear in three-word message after Man Utd snubDown the decades, some of the club's greatest stars have been major cogs in the English wheel at major tournaments.Steven Gerrard won 114 caps and captained his country 38 times. Michael Owen announced himself to the world game at France 98, when his goal against Argentina remains on of English football's most iconic moments.Trent Alexander-Arnold won 34 caps on behalf of Liverpool, Jordan Henderson 76, Glen Johnson 39 and Jamie Carragher 38.Going further back, the likes of Peter Beardsley, John Barnes and Kevin Keegan were England regulars while playing for Liverpool, as were Phil Neal, Phil Thompson and Ray Clemence.While Emilyn Hughes captained England as well as Liverpool, and Roger Hunt was part of the most famous squad of all, which won the World Cup in 1966 on home soil.In history, 75 Liverpool players have earned 1,220 caps between them.
Like Real, Liverpool failed to win silverware this season. Like Real, Liverpool failed to challenge for the title.England not needing to call on Liverpool talent, is not the reason for the club's domestic demise under Arne Slot this season.But said decline is precisely the reason why Thomas Tuchel didn't decide to tap into the current talent, or lack of it, at the former champions.Let's be honest, the likes of Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones shouldn't even be close to an England squad at all - let alone one heading abroad in a bid to conquer the world.