Article body analysed
Liverpool will likely be without a key player for the final against Newcastle on Sunday
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot could be without a key player for the League Cup final against Newcastle on Sunday, with injuries against PSG on Tuesday giving the Dutchman an issue to deal with. Defeat to PSG in the Champions League means that Liverpool will look to go all out to win a Premier League and League Cup double this season, which would still represent huge success in Arne Slot's first season at Anfield. They'll likely have to do so without Trent Alexander-Arnold, however, with the right-back going off injured in th 73rd minute after falling awkwardly. Jarrel Quansah stepped in to replace him, and with Conor Bradley also on the sidelines the young defender looks set to start at Wembley on Sunday. Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock highlighted his concern over Alexander-Arnold's injury, which Slot later confirmed while also highlighting the extent of Ibrahima Konate's issue. "Trent Alexander-Arnold is in trouble, " Warnock said via BBC Sport’s live blog. "He has hurt himself. He fell awkwardly. That is so sore, the way he rolled on his ankle. ” Slot later said in his post-match press conference: “I have to ask [about the extent of injuries] but for me Ibou was more that he was tired than it was an injury. With Trent, he had to come off. That’s never a good sign. “And from what I heard from people that saw the images or how he got injured, that didn’t look very good. So I would be surprised if he is available for Sunday. ” The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Slot isn't concerned about the fatigue his team might have suffered going 120 minutes against PSG on Tuesday before losing on penalties, however, highlighting how a trip to Wembley will help alleviate any issues his team might be facing. “The good thing is we play a final on Sunday, so mentally that’s probably the best you can ask for, because this is what we are playing football for: to play finals, " Slot highlighted. “And then there are two-and-a-half weeks in between before we start the season again. And if we can play nine times with this intensity – and the ones we play at home with the same intensity from the fans as well – then I am really looking forward to the end of the season. ” In Four Four Two's view, losing Alexander-Arnold could be a huge blow for Liverpool. While Newcastle are missing Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes is still more than a sound replacement and will likely cause Quansah a lot of problems on a big Wembley pitch. Picking themselves up to go again is another aspect to consider, with the mental toil of being knocked out the Champions League an issue to overcome as well. Ryan is a staff writer for Four Four Two, joining the team full-time in October 2022. He first joined Future in December 2020, working across Four Four Two, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture's websites, before eventually earning himself a position with Four Four Two permanently. After graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in Journalism and Communications, Ryan earned a NCTJ qualification to further develop as a writer while a Trainee News Writer at Future. Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea among top European clubs soon to be THWARTED in pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion star: report Liverpool's last title celebrations were anticlimactic and 2024/25's could easily overshadowed by uncertainty Watch Aston Villa vs Club Brugge: Live streams, TV channels for Champions League knockout second leg
Four Four Two is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.
©
Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury,
Bath
BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.