Arne Slot insists he's simply resting Trent Alexander-Arnold after the right-back was benched for Wednesday's game at Newcastle.
Liverpool is hoping to maintain it's healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table by winning at St. James' Park. Most fans expected Alexander-Arnold to start Wednesday's clash due to fellow right-back Conor Bradley missing out through injury.
Yet the England international, who is out of contract at the end of the season, was named on the bench. That's left Liverpool fans concerned about the defender's future, as he continues to be linked with a free transfer to Real Madrid once his current deal expires.
But Slot has tried to ease those worries. When asked about Alexander-Arnold's benching by Amazon Prime, the Liverpool boss said: "[Resting] Trent has a lot to do with us being aware of the fact we only have five defenders left in a month where we play a lot of games. After an intense game against Manchester City it wouldn't be smart to play him so soon.
"The good thing for us is every time we have won a game it hasn't been by a big margin, we have had to work for it and so the players know that if we are even one step down you get punished. Arsenal lost here, Manchester City had a draw. I think you can judge the table in the best possible way after 19 games. We are still having some tough games to go before we arrive at 19 games. Let's wait and see."
Jarell Quansah is expected to play at right-back, with Joe Gomez continuing at center-back alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Caoimhin Kelleher remains in goal with Alisson still recovering from injury, while Andy Robertson has been given the nod at left-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's future remains unclear
Trent Alexander-Arnold's future remains unclear (Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Liverpool's midfield three against Newcastle sees Alexis Mac Allister lineup alongside Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones. Mohamed Salah starts on the right flank, with Cody Gakpo on the left and Darwin Nunez playing down the middle.
It's still unclear whether Alexander-Arnold, who graduated from Liverpool's academy, will sign a new contract on Merseyside. The 26-year-old isn't the only Reds superstar out of contract this summer, with Van Dijk, 33, and Salah, 32, also due to leave Anfield in June.
Speaking in September, Alexander-Arnold said: "I want to be a Liverpool player this season (as a minimum) is what I will say. I have been at the club 20 years now, I have signed four or five contract extensions and none of those have been played out in public and this one won’t be either."