Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted he would be “surprised” to see Trent Alexander-Arnold feature in the EFL Cup final against Newcastle United on Sunday.
The right-back was forced off in the second half of their Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain this evening with what appeared to be an awkward twist of the ankle which left him in some discomfort.
Ibrahima Konate also had to be withdrawn after the game went into extra time, following two instances where he went down after attempting to play on.
The showpiece event at Wembley is rapidly on the horizon, with Slot and the Liverpool squad having just four days to prepare after a gruelling 120 minutes at Anfield tonight.
© Imago
Slot provides worrying update on Alexander-Arnold
Speaking in his post-match press conference after the penalty shootout defeat, Slot confirmed that Alexander-Arnold is set to miss the final at the weekend, while Konate is a minor doubt.
Slot was quick to deliver an update on Alexander-Arnold’s condition, suggesting it could be a bad one, if a judgement has been reached so soon after the final whistle.
“Konate was just tired, but with Trent, I’d be surprised if he played on Sunday.” Slot revealed, all but ruling the 26-year-old out of the clash with Newcastle at Wembley.
News on Konate appears to be slightly better, but it is still unclear what effect this energy-zapping night has had on some of the Liverpool players, especially the Frenchman, who was dead on his feet before being substituted on 111 minutes.
© Imago
How could Liverpool’s back four look on Sunday?
With Alexander-Arnold set to miss out, Jarell Quansah is set to start for Liverpool at right-back, like he did when he was brought on in tonight’s second leg.
That is down to the injuries sustained by both Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, who will not be available for the weekend either, so it could well be a makeshift battle on that side, with Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon also suspended for the final.
Should Konate not make it either, and with Quansah being needed at right-back, Wataru Endo could be called upon to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre of defence.
Endo has accumulated plenty of minutes at centre-back this season, and is comfortable playing in that position, but his last start came in the hugely disappointing FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle last month.
Nevertheless, a makeshift XI should not strike much fear into the Liverpool fanbase, considering they won the EFL Cup final against Chelsea last year with a largely depleted side that included six youngsters on the bench, four of whom were introduced later in the game.
No Data Analysis info
