Trent Alexander-Arnold's evolution under Jurgen Klopp has surely thrust him to the forefront of Gareth Southgate's thinking for Euro 2024.
Once regarded as a revolutionary full-back with questionable defensive abilities, Alexander-Arnold has since developed into a leader of his boyhood club; one capable of dictating matches from a deep-lying midfield position.
The full-back-cum-midfielder has been one of the standout players of 2023/24 so far, with his otherworldly passing range aiding the return of heavy metal football at Anfield. Liverpool are once again fast, direct, and stellar in transition, with Trent so often setting the Reds on their way.
Alexander-Arnold will be pivotal to their success this season and Klopp's men have a chance of lifting multiple trophies, including the Premier League, by the time the season draws to a close. However, Liverpool will have to survive without their do-it-all full-back for a little while after he picked up an injury in their 2-0 FA Cup victory over Arsenal.
When will Trent Alexander-Arnold return from injury?
The Reds' season has been particularly impressive given their injury woes. Andy Robertson hasn't featured since October with a shoulder injury, Joel Matip has been lost for the season, Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic haven't played this term, while Dominik Szoboszlai is currently nursing a hamstring issue.
Alexander-Arnold is the latest to join the sidelines, with Klopp's assistant, Pep Lijnders, confirming the England international suffered a knee injury against the Gunners. Speaking ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup tie against Fulham on Wednesday, he said: "First of all, some not-that-good news, Trent hyperextended his knee during the last game.
"So he has a little tear in the lateral ligament of his knee and he will need time to recover. He had a scan and he will be out for a few weeks, so let's see after that."
While Lijnders vaguely noted that Alexander-Arnold will miss a "few weeks", reports have since pinpointed that he'll be out for three.
Given the upcoming Premier League winter break, this news isn't a total disaster for Liverpool. However, it does mean that he'll miss both Carabao Cup semi-final legs. The Reds' league game against Chelsea on 31 January is said to be the target for Alexander-Arnold's return.
Games Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss with knee injury
Date / Kick-off Time | Fixture | Competition |
|---|---|---|
10/01/24 / 20:00 | Liverpool vs Fulham | Carabao Cup |
21/01/24 / 16:30 | Bournemouth vs Liverpool | Premier League |
24/01/24 / 20:00 | Fulham vs Liverpool | Carabao Cup |
27/01/24 / 15:00 | Liverpool vs Norwich City or Bristol Rovers | FA Cup |
Who will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool lineup?
With Joe Gomez likely to continue at left-back in the absences of Robertson and Tsimikas, young Conor Bradley is set to deputise for Alexander-Arnold throughout January.
The 20-year-old starred for the Reds' Under-18s and Under-23s before he came into first-team consideration. He's since made nine appearances for Klopp's side but is yet to feature in the Premier League.
Bradley came on for the final 20 minutes at the weekend with the cup tie locked at 0-0 and did an excellent job of taming Gabriel Martinelli down Arsenal's left. His cameo performance garnered plenty of plaudits and it appears as if the Reds will be in safe hands for the next few weeks while Alexander-Arnold recovers.
