Liverpool could be without Trent Alexander-Arnold for a crucial period in the season as Jurgen Klopp confirmed the 23-year-old is likely to be sidelined for 'weeks'.
The Reds' right-back played the full 90 minutes in Wednesday evening's win over Arsenal, though will not be available for Sunday's FA Cup tie with Nottingham Forest or England's upcoming international friendlies. Gareth Southgate had named Alexander-Arnold in his 25-man squad, though Klopp has made clear that he will no longer be able to take part.
Providing this update to reporters at his press conference this morning, the Liverpool boss said: “Trent is out with a hamstring. He cannot be part of England as well - not good news. We will see how long that takes,” the boss told reporters during his pre-match press conference. Asked if Alexander-Arnold will be sidelined for weeks, Klopp then replied: “Yes.”
One small positive for Liverpool is that this injury has come at a time whereby a two-week pause in club football follows this weekend's FA Cup fixtures, though this is a major blow nonetheless as the Reds continue to challenge on four fronts.
With this news now confirmed, which games could Alexander-Arnold miss as a result of his injury?
It goes without saying that Sunday's FA Cup tie with Forest will come too soon for the talented defender, with England's fixtures against Switzerland and Ivory Coast also off the agenda. After the international break, Liverpool host Watford on April 2 and it is unlikely that the 23-year-old will be ready for this fixture based on Klopp's comments.
The huge Premier League meeting with Manchester City on April 10 now seems all the more significant should Alexander-Arnold be absent, which could force James Milner or Kostas Tsimikas to deputise as a result. There is also the possibility that the Reds will have to negotiate both legs of their Champions League quarter-final against Benfica without the West Derby-born star.
Games that Alexander-Arnold could miss for Liverpool:
March 20 - Nottingham Forest (A)
April 2- Watford (H)
April 5- Benfica (A)
April 10 - Manchester City (A)
April 13 - Benfica (H)
