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Jurgen Klopp has revealed how he broke the good news to Trent Alexander-Arnold about the Liverpool youngster's inclusion in England's World Cup squad.

The 19-year-old was rewarded for a fine season at Anfield by earning his maiden call-up to Gareth Southgate's squad on Wednesday afternoon.

Alexander-Arnold will join his club captain Jordan Henderson in the 23-man squad for the Russia tournament with Adam Lallana placed on stand-by.

(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)

It was Klopp who eventually told his right-back that he had been included in the squad, and the Liverpool manager explained how it panned out as they prepared to leave for Marbella, where the Reds are preparing for the Champions League final.

“It is nice, a nice story," Klopp told liverpoolfc.com.

"Gareth Southgate gave me a call this morning and told me that I am allowed to tell him, but then I had some press work to do and didn’t have time.

“So, in the bus to the plane, I saw Trent for the first time. I thought maybe he knew already and someone else had called him.

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"I had the honour of telling him and it was nice to see his eyes. It’s fantastic, it’s well deserved, what a season. What a season!

"Can you be too young? No. You can be not good enough – but he is good enough.

"It’s just a wonderful little piece more which makes this season special, even before the last game [against Real Madrid]."

England begin their World Cup campaign on June 18 against Tunisia before a meeting with Panama six days later.

The Three Lions conclude their group stage with a big clash with Belgium on June 28.