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Liverpool have suffered a blow after England defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was dominated out for a number of weeks with a knee harm suffered in final weekend’s FA Cup win at Arsenal.
Reds assistant supervisor Pep Lijnders confirmed Alexander-Arnold’s harm when he spoke to the media on Tuesday forward of Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg towards Fulham.
Alexander-Arnold was in a position to end Sunday’s 2-0 third spherical victory over the Gunners, however the knee tear means he’ll spend an prolonged interval on the sidelines.
The influential England right-back’s absence is a major setback for Premier League leaders Liverpool, who’re additionally chasing silverware within the Europa League in addition to the 2 home cups.
“To start with, some not-that-good information, Trent hyper-extended his knee over the past sport,” Lijnders stated.
“So he has just a little tear within the lateral ligament of his knee and he’ll want time to recuperate. He had a scan and he can be out for just a few weeks, so let’s examine after that.
“He’ll get some relaxation after which hopefully he can come again to the place he was.”
After Wednesday’s League Cup tie, Alexander-Arnold will miss a Premier League conflict with Bournemouth on January 21, then the second leg at Fulham three days later.
Liverpool will play Norwich or Bristol Rovers within the FA Cup fourth spherical on the weekend of January 27 earlier than taking up Chelsea within the Premier League on January 31.
“It’s a huge blow as he was considered one of our most necessary gamers. Even in unhealthy spells he was the one placing the balls the place we wanted the distinction,” Lijnders stated.
“As a result of this man was decisive in all of the video games and was the one who created continuously for us from deep and gave the workforce a excessive stage of flexibility.
“We are going to actually miss him. We should discover new dynamics with out him as a result of he made our sport versatile however hopefully it’s three weeks.”
‘Now we have to search out options’
Liverpool are already with out central defender Joel Matip and left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas attributable to accidents.
However it’s Alexander-Arnold’s pivotal contribution, getting into midfield to offer two targets and eight assists this season, which may make his absence so problematic for Jurgen Klopp’s aspect.
Lijnders insists they’ll discover a strategy to deal with the state of affairs, as they did with Mohamed Salah on Africa Cup of Nations responsibility with Egypt at current.
“Now we have many weapons so there’s no-one irreplaceable right here,” Lijnders stated.
“Mo goes away, (Diogo) Jota steps up. If the very best gamers aren’t there and also you play very well – the second half towards Arsenal – then that is a extremely good signal and that is what we have at all times performed.
“We’re lacking three core gamers from our management group, Robbo, Trent, Mo, in order that’s a blow in fact.
“We now we now have to search out options with out Trent as effectively however, once more, this squad has a lot expertise, a lot energy, and so long as counter-pressing is there every little thing else is replaceable.”
It wasn’t all unhealthy information for Liverpool on Tuesday as Lijnders stated Netherlands centre-back Virgil van Dijk was obtainable to face Fulham after lacking the Arsenal sport attributable to sickness.
