Liverpool will be missing four players as Arne Slot aims to win his first piece of silverware since replacing Jurgen Klopp last summer. The Reds will face a tough game against Newcastle United at Wembley this Sunday, though Eddie Howe has some big absentees as well.
After limping off against PSG with an ankle injury, Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the cup final. He appeared to know that immediately as he put his face into his shirt while in pain on the field. The Liverpool No. 66 was unable to continue in the Champions League clash and could now face a few weeks on the sidelines.
That is far from ideal for the Reds, with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also missing at the moment. Slot is short on defensive options, meaning Jarell Quansah is likely to have to deputize at full-back, which is not his best position.
“Everyone who is from the bench and who doesn’t start has to try and make an impact,” Virgil van Dijk told reporters on Tuesday when asked specifically about Quansah, who could play the Alexander-Arnold role in his absence. “I have no idea what it is (the injury to Alexander-Arnold).
“Hopefully it is something minor but if not, if Jarell will play right-back then he has to do it in the best way possible. He showed today and he showed already in the last couple of weeks that he can do it.”
Elsewhere, Ibrahima Konate came off and was replaced by Wataru Endo against PSG but that was just because of fatigue. The French center-back should be fine to start against Newcastle but Slot will provide the latest in his pre-match press conference which is scheduled for 10am UK time (6am ET) on Friday.
Midfielder Tyler Morton, who would have been unlikely to be involved anyway, is also on the treatment table at the moment. The Liverpool academy graduate has had surgery on a shoulder injury.
As for Newcastle, the Magpies will be missing key defensive duo Lewis Hall and Sven Botman, who both would have started the game. Jamaal Lascelles is also out with a knee injury while Anthony Gordon is suspended after he was sent off against Brighton in the FA Cup.
Liverpool.com says: Even with a couple of players missing from either side, the Reds should be confident. Liverpool is the favorite, though it could be a tightly fought contest.
Cody Gakpo is fit again but he didn’t look sharp against PSG when he was thrown into the action. If he is ready, the Dutch forward should start. If not, Slot will have a decision to make on who should start up top, with Diogo Jota the most likely contender.
