With the EFL Cup final just around the corner, Liverpool fans will be left concerned after the latest Liverpool injury news.
Arne Slot’s side crashed out of the Champions League midweek, losing on penalties to PSG.
As well as losing that game, Liverpool lost another player to injury, with their first chance to win silverware under Slot just a matter of days away.
Liverpool injury news
Speaking to the media, Liverpool manager Slot gave an update on defender, Trent Alexander-Arnold, who sustained an ankle injury in the game against PSG:
“Trent is not available. He will not be there at the final.
“But he is still to be assessed for how long it will take, but we do expect him back before the end of the season.”
This latest Liverpool injury news is even more disastrous for Slot’s side because Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are still recovering from injuries. This leaves Liverpool with no recognised right-back for the game against Newcastle United.
How big of an issue is this for Liverpool?
Losing a key player like Trent, just before a big cup final, will not be ideal for Slot.
For all the criticism aimed at Trent, for his perceived lack of defensive abilities, he’s once again been a standout for Liverpool.
In the Premier League this season, Trent has received an average Sofascore rating of 7.31. The only Liverpool player to receive a higher rating is Mo Salah (8.04).
Creatively, Alexander-Arnold has been one of the leaders for Liverpool. Trent’s created 14 big chances, has averaged 1.9 key passes per game and has six assists. The only player to better him in the league this season for Liverpool is Salah – who’s having a Ballon d’Or winning season himself.
Despite the negativity surrounding his defending abilities, his defensive statistics are up there with the best in the squad.
Trent’s second for tackles per game (2.4), third for interceptions (1.1), and fourth for clearances (1.6).
Liverpool will miss Trent on Sunday, both going forward and defensively.
Who will take Trent’s place in the team?
With Bradley and Gomez both struggling with their own injury issues, Slot might need to get creative to find a replacement for Sunday.
One good thing for Sunday’s game is Anthony Gordon is suspended. Gordon has been a threat for Newcastle on the left.
However, Harvey Barnes will likely play from the left. Barnes is more than capable of being a threat, as he’s shown time and time again.
This will likely make Slot’s task even more difficult. He could move one of Andy Robertson or Konstantinos Tsimikas across to right back. Neither have really played on the opposite side before and the change can be difficult, something you’d not want to risk in a cup final.
Slot’s also got to consider that Robertson played 120 minutes midweek. Although Robertson’s known for his natural fitness, it was a tough game and has likely had an impact on Robertson.
The Liverpool manager could opt to bring a midfielder back into the position. He’s got a wealth of talented midfielders, resulting in some missing out each game. Could we see Curtis Jones drop back into right back?
Whoever Slot does pick has got big boots to fill.