Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss the Carabao Cup final for the second year running, although it seems the Liverpool right-back has dodged a severe injury.
Alexander-Arnold was forced to leave the pitch with an ankle issue during the second half of Tuesday night's Champions League last-16 loss to Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield. Initial concerns suggested he could be out for the remainder of the season, particularly as he seemed to twist his knee awkwardly when he fell during a challenge with PSG midfielder Vitinha.
However, according to the Mail, Alexander-Arnold has managed to avoid a serious injury and it is hoped that he will return to play for the Reds before the season concludes. After this, his contract on Merseyside will expire amidst ongoing interest from Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold was among several players absent due to injury from the Liverpool squad for last season's Carabao Cup final triumph over Chelsea, including Mo Salah, Darwin Nunez, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai. Virgil van Dijk netted the extra-time winner, securing a 1-0 victory for a depleted Reds side.
Alexander-Arnold's absence from Sunday's grand final against Newcastle will be a significant setback for Liverpool, who are also currently without Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez. Jarell Quansah replaced Alexander-Arnold against PSG, but he is more accustomed to playing at centre-back.
The injury sustained by Alexander-Arnold is set to cause disappointment for England's new manager Thomas Tuchel, who had been looking to include him in his inaugural Three Lions squad announcement this Friday.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot wasn't able to provide much insight into Alexander-Arnold's condition on Wednesday, labeling it too soon for an evaluation. However, he shared a more optimistic update regarding French defender Ibrahima Konate, who signaled for a substitution during the extended play against PSG.
Slot commented: "With Ibou, we expected only it to be that he was tired or he had some cramps so we are hoping and expecting that he will be ready to play Sunday again."
It's anticipated that Konate will take his position at centre-back next to Van Dijk, while Quansah is likely to fill in for Alexander-Arnold as right-back, with Andy Robertson positioned as left-back. In goal, Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to start, continuing his predominant role throughout Liverpool's Carabao Cup campaign this season.
