England boss Gareth Southgate says Trent Alexander-Arnold's "all-round game" is behind that of right-back rival Kieran Trippier.
The Liverpool fullback was left out of Monday's 3-3 Nations League draw with Germany, and Southgate said he explained the situation to him.
Chelsea's Reece James started at right-back with Trippier on the bench.
"I've had long conversations with all of them [who have been left out]," Southgate said.
"The other night [against Italy], we didn't need the left-back cover. Against Germany we did because of the way we went with the team so we needed Chilly [Ben Chilwell] on the bench and we had Kieran who, at the moment, I feel his all-round game is ahead [of Alexander-Arnold]."