Arne Slot has said Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United through injury but his Liverpool team-mate Ibrahima Konate is expected to be available for Sunday’s match.
Alexander-Arnold was forced off in the second half of Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain after landing awkwardly as he slid to intercept a pass.
Slot said after Tuesday’s match he would be “surprised” if the England international would be able to participate in Sunday’s final and confirmed on Friday he would be unavailable for the Wembley match.
“Trent is indeed not available. He will not be there at the final,” Slot said.
“But he’s still to be assessed for how long it’s going to take. We do expect him back before the end of the season.”
Konate was also forced off in the second half of extra time, with Wataru Endo coming on in his place, but the Liverpool head coach played down concerns that the France centre-back may also not be fit to face Newcastle.
“We didn’t train yesterday – we had a day off – and the day before was recovery,” Slot said.
“I expect him (Konate) to train with us today (Friday), but let’s see how it is.”
Liverpool are already without second-choice right-back Conor Bradley, who has been sidelined since he was forced off against Aston Villa on February 18. Joe Gomez, who has also deputised in the position, is a long-term absentee after undergoing hamstring surgery in February.
Centre-back Jarell Quansah saw out the remainder of Tuesday’s tie at right-back. The 22-year-old also started December’s Premier League draw with Newcastle at right-back and has featured in the position from the bench in recent weeks in Gomez and Bradley’s absence.
Alexander-Arnold also missed last season’s Carabao Cup final victory over Chelsea due to a knee injury.
The England international has provided three goals and seven assists in 39 appearances in all competitions this season.
Sunday’s Carabao Cup final is Liverpool’s last game before March’s international break. Slot’s side then return to action against Everton on April 2.
(Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
