Liverpool was handed two new injury scares during its Champions League exit at the hands of PSG. They couldn’t have come at a worse time, with the Carabao Cup final just around the corner
Liverpool’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain has not only cost the Reds the chance of a treble this season, but it may have also hampered their hopes of picking up a first piece of silverware under Arne Slot on Sunday.
The heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat at Anfield means Liverpool’s Champions Leaguehopes are over for another year. Darwin Nunez and Curtis Jones’ saved efforts proved to be the difference as the Reds crashed out at the last-16 stage.
The Reds have been handed a boost ahead of that game, with Cody Gakpo returning to action from the bench against PSG on Tuesday. Two more problems emerged from the game though, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konateadding to Slot’s worries.
Conor Bradley
Bradley hasn’t featured since he was forced off against Aston Villa last month, having only come on as a substitute moments before. The 21-year-old has not been included in Northern Ireland’s squad for this month’s international break, which almost certainly rules out return for Sunday’s game at Wembley.
That means Jarell Quansah will likely have to start at right-back in both Alexander-Arnold and Bradley’s absences. A return for the latter looks more likely next month now, and Slot will be hoping it’s sooner rather than later.
Possible return date: April 2 vs Everton
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold was forced off during the second half of Tuesday’s defeat to PSG, and it’s not looking good for him in terms of Sunday’s final at Wembley. The Liverpool vice-captain appeared to twist his ankle as he went in for a challenge near the touchline, and looked to be in some discomfort as he received treatment.
Slot admitted after the game that he doesn’t expect Alexander-Arnold to feature against Newcastle, and his absence will leave the Reds desperately short on numbers at the back.
Ibrahima Konate
Konate provided another major worry when he came off during extra time against PSG. The center-back looked as though he could barely walk during the second half of extra time before he was replaced by Wataru Endo.
Thankfully, Slot has played down any fears of a potential injury, suggesting that Konate’s problem was likely just tiredness. That is still to be confirmed, but the Frenchman should hopefully be okay to start against Newcastle.
