Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold will be unavailable for the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday.
The defender, who was substituted during the Reds’ 4-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth on Saturday, is recovering from a thigh injury.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of the crucial fixture, Slot revealed that while Alexander-Arnold has already started rehabilitation, he is not yet fit to return to team training.
“He [Alexander-Arnold] is going to miss the [Tottenham] game,” Slot said. “We have to see whether he is able to play on Sunday, but what we do know is that he is not available for tomorrow.”
Liverpool Looking to Overturn First-Leg Deficit
Liverpool, last season’s League Cup winners under former manager Jurgen Klopp, will be aiming to bounce back from their 1-0 defeat in the first leg when they host Tottenham at Anfield.
The Reds are still in contention for multiple trophies this season, currently leading the Premier League and having secured a spot in the Champions League last 16.
Alexander-Arnold’s absence is a significant blow for Liverpool, given his influence in attack and playmaking from the right-back position. However, Slot remains optimistic about his squad depth and the available replacements.
“He left the pitch with a bit of pain in his leg, but he’s already on the [training] pitch—not with the team but with the rehab coach—so let’s see how long it is going to take,” he added.
Conor Bradley Likely to Start in Defence
With Alexander-Arnold ruled out, 20-year-old Conor Bradley is expected to step in as his replacement, having already started the first leg at Tottenham on January 8.
The young defender also featured in the latter stages of the Bournemouth match, coming on for Alexander-Arnold.
Another option for Liverpool is Joe Gomez, who recently returned from a hamstring injury. Gomez has been a versatile player for the Reds this season, featuring at both full-back and centre-back positions.
Slot, however, appears confident in Bradley’s ability to handle the high-stakes semi-final clash, especially given the Northern Irishman’s promising performances when called upon.
Liverpool’s January Transfer Window Approach
Despite being linked with several players, Liverpool opted not to make any new signings during the January transfer window. Slot defended the club’s decision, highlighting the strength of the current squad and their ability to compete on multiple fronts.
“I’ve said it many times, we have a very good squad and, if you look at the league table, the players have shown that the trust we have in them was correct,” Slot stated.
The Liverpool boss also noted that injuries have not been a major concern for the team in recent weeks, apart from Alexander-Arnold’s current setback.
“And, apart from Trent now for a few days, we didn’t have many long-term injuries in the moments when the window was open,” he added.
A Must-Win Match for Liverpool
Liverpool will need a strong performance to overturn Tottenham’s first-leg advantage, and the absence of Alexander-Arnold adds an extra challenge. The Reds will look to their attacking firepower, led by Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez, to break down a resilient Spurs defense.
Kick-off at Anfield is set for Thursday, with Liverpool determined to secure a spot in the Carabao Cup final and continue their pursuit of silverware under their new manager.
