Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold injured his ankle in the Champions League clash with PSG (Image: Getty)
star is a doubt for the Carabao Cup final showdown with after limping off in the Reds’ defeat against Paris Saint-Germain. The right-back as he made a strong challenge in the second half.
Alexander-Arnold remained on the turf until he received treatment. He played no further part and seemed in pain as he walked around the perimeter of the pitch. Head coach has said he will not be surprised if Alexander-Arnold plays no part in Sunday’s Wembley clash with the Magpies. Second-choice right-back Conor Bradley is also absent with a thigh problem, giving Slot a major issue in the position.
Asked about injuries suffered by Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate, who also hobbled off, Slot said: “I have to ask but for me Ibou was more that he was tired than it was an injury. With Trent, he had to come off. That’s never a good sign.
“And from what I heard from people that saw the images or how he got injured, that didn’t look very good. So I would be surprised if he is available for Sunday.”
Going to extra-time and penalties – only to lose – was a mental and physical blow to . Slot is happy that the Carabao Cup final takes place on Sunday, rather than Saturday.
He added: “The good thing is we play a final on Sunday, so mentally that’s probably the best you can ask for, because this is what we are playing football for: to play finals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury could give Arne Slot a major issue against Newcastle (Image: Getty)
“And then there are two-and-a-half weeks in between before we start the season again. And if we can play nine times with this intensity – and the ones we play at home with the same intensity from the fans as well – then I am really looking forward to the end of the season.”
Ousmane Dembele scored the only goal during the 90 minutes at Anfield, levelling the aggregate score at 1-1. Despite several chances, failed to find the net on a disappointing night on Merseyside.
PSG triumphed in the resulting penalty shootout, with the only Reds player scoring. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones both missed their spot-kicks. The perennial French champions scored all four of theirs to inflict ’s first-ever Champions League shootout defeat.
There will be no European trophy in Slot’s otherwise impeccable first season. But the Dutchman could lift his first piece of silverware on Sunday when face in the Carabao Cup final.