According to a recent report by the Liverpool Echo, Trent Alexander-Arnold is currently facing a spell on the treatment table which would be another big blow for Liverpool as they prepare to face off against their arch rivals, Manchester United on Sunday evening.
The same report has also revealed that the English right-back will definitely miss the game versus the Red Devils this weekend due to a foot injury which could also keep him out of next Friday’s trip to Wolves.
Alexander-Arnold injured his foot during the 1-0 win over Napoli earlier this week and has since been wearing a protective boot. He has enjoyed a sensational campaign with the Reds so far and was expected to be heavily involved in Jurgen Klopp’s first-team for the coming weeks as fixtures come thick and fast during the hectic Christmas period.
The English international has been a revelation at right-back and has established himself as a regular in Klopp’s starting XI so it won’t be easy for the Merseyside club to cope with his absence during his spell on the sidelines.
Klopp will likely opt for James Milner to take up the right-back duties in Alexander-Arnold’s absence. Even though Milner lacks the pace and crossing ability of the English defender, yet he is more reliable at the back and would put in a tireless shift down the right flank. Moreover, it will also free up space in midfield which could help Klopp incorporate the likes of Fabinho, Naby Keita or Adam Lallana, who have all received limited game time this season, into his first-team.
There is no doubt that Alexander-Arnold’s recent injury will be another huge blow for Klopp but the fact that he could be back before the end of this month will be welcome news for Liverpool. The Reds just have to figure out a way to get some favourable results in his absence, but Jurgen Klopp’s squad have a lot of depth and is more than capable of coping with such sudden injuries.
Liverpool already have both Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in the injury-list which could mean that Dejan Lovren will partner Virgil Van Dijk in central defence while James Milner and Andrew Robertson operate as the full-backs. Any more injuries at the back will set the alarm bells ringing at Anfield, but for now, the Reds have just enough cover to deal with these recent setbacks.
