With England chasing the game late on, Tuchel introduced Morgan Gibbs-White, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Jarrad Branthwaite - but chose Jarell Quansah for the right-sided role.
That choice was significant. Alexander-Arnold offers elite passing range, crossing and creativity, yet Tuchel prioritised pace, one-on-one defending and Quansah’s ability to cover at centre-back.
The manager later offered a reminder of the competition for places: “Tenho de escolher 11 jogadores e cinco substitutos. Nada além disso.”
For Alexander-Arnold, the problem is no longer simply earning a recall. He returned to the England squad after missing the World Cup, but has still not converted selection into meaningful minutes.
His international situation is being mirrored at Real Madrid, where regular football has reportedly been difficult to secure since his move from Liverpool.
Competition has increased with the arrival of Denzel Dumfries, leaving Alexander-Arnold needing a sustained run of form and appearances to strengthen his case. A player whose influence depends heavily on rhythm and confidence may find limited opportunities particularly damaging.
Tuchel’s system could still accommodate his passing ability, especially against opponents who defend deep. But the manager appears unwilling to sacrifice defensive intensity unless Alexander-Arnold’s overall balance is convincing.
The next three fixtures could shape the conversation. A start - or even an influential substitute appearance - against the Czech Republic would give Alexander-Arnold a chance to answer Tuchel on the pitch.
For now, his England future remains open but uncertain. The talent is undisputed; the trust, and the minutes, are not.