David Beckham believes Trent Alexander-Arnold could yet feature for England at the next World Cup, despite the Real Madrid defender failing to make Thomas Tuchel's latest squad.
The right-back was left out last week and, like millions of fans, was forced to watch Friday night's 1-1 draw with Uruguay from home.
During his time at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold established himself as one of the best players in his position with consistent displays.
He has never truly mastered the international stage, however, with the 26-year-old blowing hot and cold for Real Madrid since his arrival back in the summer.
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With just weeks until the World Cup to go, Alexander-Arnold is fighting to secure a spot on the plane.
And Beckham, speaking to talkSPORT, believes there's still a chance Tuchel will open the doors to a return to the fold later this summer.
"I've heard so many times over the years when he was at Liverpool, when he's at Madrid, when he's playing for England, about, 'Well, he's not as good at defending as he is (attacking)'," he said.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made just one appearance for England since Thomas Tuchel took charge | PA"Well, sometimes you have to accept that… Roberto Carlos was an unbelievable defender, but he was also unbelievable going forward.
"He'd always go forward, and then we'd have to cover him, so those kind of things you expect.
"But with Trent, would I take him? I'd find it very hard not to take someone like Trent.
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England's record in their last five major tournaments | GB NEWS"But then Thomas, he's come out and said, I think I read it this morning, that there are other players that are ahead of him at the moment. But he said 'at the moment', so that could change.
"I think you said it, tonight [Friday] might prove that other players are playing that might not get in the squad, so you don't know.
"This is very close to picking a final squad, but I still think that Thomas is probably still considering about Trent as well."
England haven't always impressed under Tuchel, failing to beat Uruguay and Senegal during his tenure so far. Beckham, though, believes there's still a chance they can secure football's ultimate prize and end years of hurt.
"I think we're in the best place that we can be, in all honesty," he said.
"I think we've got a very young, talented squad with a great captain leading us in the best of form, probably, of his life with Harry (Kane).
David Beckham has been impressed by Thomas Tuchel's work with England so far
| PA"Obviously, he's a great leader, and I think Thomas is so meticulous with how he picks the squad, how he runs the squad.
"He's obviously had past success in the game, but I think that what he brings is how meticulous he will be with every single detail that the England team actually need to perform in this World Cup.
"I think the players will respond to him because he is a top manager, and I think the way he handles the players, the players will respect, and I think they will react in the right way.
"In my opinion, he'll not be pressured into picking players that people are trying to get him to pick. He'll pick the team that he thinks will win this World Cup, and I'm looking forward to it, I'm excited about it."