Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp surprised Trent Alexander-Arnold with England call-up news

Klopp told 19-year-old defender he was heading to Russia for this summer's World Cup on bus as team prepared to fly out to Spain

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 5, 2018 file photo, Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold during the English FA Cup Third Round soccer match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield in Liverpool, England. England has omitted Joe Hart and Jack Wilshere from its World Cup squad and called up Trent Alexander-Arnold to cap a remarkable breakthrough season for the 19-year-old right back. England coach Gareth Southgate stuck to his principles and selected a young and energetic group of 23 players who can fit a variety of formations but will be short of experience at major tournaments. (AP Photo/Rui Vieira, file)
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ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope 
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph 
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold said club manager Jurgen Klopp surprised him with the news of his inclusion in England's 23-man squad for the World Cup.

The 19 year old has had an impressive breakthrough campaign for Liverpool, featuring in nine Uefa Champions League matches, including the quarter-final win over Manchester City and the semi-final victory against Roma, and 19 Premier League games.

"I found out this morning, just before we came out to Marbella. The manager came and spoke to me just as we were getting on the plane," Alexander-Arnold, currently in a training camp in Spain, told Liverpool's website.

"He asked me if I knew anything about the squad or anything yet. I said, 'no' and he said, 'Have you got anything planned around the time of the World Cup?' I was like, 'No, no holidays or anything ...

"He said to me, 'OK, good ... You're in the squad!' It was a really proud moment. On England's behalf, it was nice of them to let the manager tell me."

Klopp, who handed Alexander-Arnold his Liverpool debut in 2016, was equally proud of the teenager and says the call-up was a great way to top off a special season.

"[England manager] Gareth Southgate gave me a call this morning [Wednesday] and told me that I am allowed to tell him." Klopp said.

"So, in the bus to the plane, I saw Trent for the first time ... I had the honour of telling him and it was nice to see the reaction in his eyes. It's fantastic, it's well deserved, what a season. What a season!

"It's just a wonderful little piece more which makes this season special, even before the last game."

Liverpool are in contention to win their first European title since 2005 when they take on holders and 12-time winners Real Madrid in the Champions League final in Kiev on May 26.

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Read more:

Richard Jolly: Gareth Southgate proves to be England’s courteous radical with 2018 World Cup squad selection

In pictures: Kiev prepares to host Real Madrid and Liverpool in Uefa Champions League final

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ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jack Butland, Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope 
Defenders: John Stones, Harry Maguire, Phil Jones, Kyle Walker, Kieran Trippier, Gary Cahill, Ashley Young, Danny Rose, Trent Alexander-Arnold 
Midfielders: Eric Dier, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli, Jesse Lingard, Raheem Sterling, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Fabian Delph 
Forwards: Harry Kane, Jamie Vardy, Marcus Rashford, Danny Welbeck