Liverpool’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain has not only cost the Reds the chance of a treble this season, but it may have also hampered their hopes of picking up a first piece of silverware under Arne Slot on Sunday.
The heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat at Anfield means Liverpool’s Champions League hopes are over for another year. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones’ saved efforts proved to be the difference as the Reds crashed out at the last-16 stage.
That leaves just two more trophies to chase down now, and the first of those could be secured this weekend. Slot takes his side to Wembley for the first time as head coach as Liverpool faces Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final.
The Reds have been handed a boost ahead of that game, with Cody Gakpo returning to action from the bench against PSG on Tuesday. Two more problems emerged from the game though, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate adding to Slot’s worries.
Here is the latest on the injury front at Liverpool ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final…
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold was forced off during the second half of Tuesday’s defeat to PSG, and it’s not looking good for him in terms of Sunday’s final at Wembley. The Liverpool vice-captain appeared to twist his ankle as he went in for a challenge near the touchline, and looked to be in some discomfort as he received treatment.
Slot admitted after the game that he doesn’t expect Alexander-Arnold to feature against Newcastle, and his absence will leave the Reds desperately short on numbers at the back.
Possible return date: Unknown
Ibrahima Konate
Konate provided another major worry when he came off during extra time against PSG. The center-back looked as though he could barely walk during the second half of extra time before he was replaced by Wataru Endo.
Thankfully, Slot has played down any fears of a potential injury, suggesting that Konate’s problem was likely just tiredness. That is still to be confirmed, but the Frenchman should hopefully be okay to start against Newcastle.
Possible return date: March 16 vs Newcastle (Carabao Cup final)
Conor Bradley
Bradley hasn’t featured since he was forced off against Aston Villa last month, having only come on as a substitute moments before. The 21-year-old has not been included in Northern Ireland’s squad for this month’s international break, which almost certainly rules out return for Sunday’s game at Wembley.
That means Jarell Quansah will likely have to start at right-back in both Alexander-Arnold and Bradley’s absences. A return for the latter looks more likely next month now, and Slot will be hoping it’s sooner rather than later.
Possible return date: April 2 vs Everton
Tyler Morton
Morton underwent surgery on his shoulder last month, and he could now miss the remainder of the season. Given there is speculation surrounding his future, and he has previously indicated he could move away from Anfield, it’s possible the midfielder may have already played his final game for Liverpool.
Possible return date: Unknown
Joe Gomez
Gomez’s return from injury against Plymouth last month lasted all of 11 minutes before he was forced off once again with a recurrence of his hamstring problem. He has since undergone surgery to fix the issue, and there is still hope that he might be able to return before the end of the season.
With just over a couple of months remaining in the campaign though, time is running out if Gomez is to make it back into the side during the final nine league games, and he’s another player who has faced speculation over his future. How Liverpool could do with him fit at the moment.
Possible return date: May
