In a setback for Liverpool, star defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss action for approximately three weeks following a knee injury sustained during the FA Cup third-round victory against Arsenal.
Assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed the extent of the injury, revealing that Alexander-Arnold hyperextended his knee, causing a tear in the lateral ligament. Lijnders expressed the significance of the loss, stating, “We will really miss him,” acknowledging the player’s pivotal role in shaping Liverpool’s game dynamics.
The absence comes at a crucial time for Liverpool, who are leading the Premier League by three points. Alexander-Arnold’s sidelined period includes both legs of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Fulham, a league clash with Bournemouth, and the FA Cup fourth-round fixture against Norwich or Bristol Rovers. His availability for the key league encounter with Chelsea on January 31 remains uncertain.
Liverpool, known for its depth, will need to adapt without Alexander-Arnold’s flexibility and creative contributions. The assistant manager hinted at introducing new dynamics to compensate for the absence and expressed confidence in the squad’s abilities.
On a positive note, Liverpool will see the return of Virgil van Dijk, who missed the FA Cup fixture due to illness. However, forward Mohamed Salah is away on international duty, and midfielder Wataru Endo is participating in the Asia Cup.
The defensive lineup is further bolstered by the progress of left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, expected to return to training later in January. Meanwhile, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai remains sidelined with a hamstring issue.
As Liverpool navigates this challenging period, Lijnders emphasized the squad’s depth and the need to discover new dynamics in the absence of key players. The team’s resilience will be put to the test as they aim to maintain their lead in the title race.
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