Arne Slot
Image Credits: Getty Images
Arne Slot has provided fitness update on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate after their substitutions during Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds UEFA Champions League journey ended on Tuesday after a penalty shootout loss to Luis Enrique’s side at Anfield.
Liverpool won 1-0 in the first leg but fell behind early in the second leg after Ousmane Dembele tapped the ball in from close range early in the first half to bring PSG level on aggregate and send the contest to extra time.
The visitors won the penalty shootout, with Curtis Jones and Darwin Nunez missing their respective spot kicks.
After such a disappointing end to their European campaign, Liverpool now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup final where they face Newcastle United.
However, the Reds could be without Alexander-Arnold, who suffered an injury during the PSG game.
Alexander-Arnold started the game but did not last 90 minutes after he landed awkwardly while trying to make a challenge midway through the second half.
The Englishman was forced off in the 72nd minute and was replaced by Jarell Quansah.
The 26-year-old looked in some discomfort as he received treatment on the sideline. A stretcher was brought out, but he was able to walk gingerly to the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate could not finish the game and had to be replaced by Wataru Endo late in the game.
After the game, Liverpool’s coach was asked for updates on Alexander-Arnold and Konate after their substitutions.
He 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,” said Slot at his post-match press conference.
“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.”
On any physical ‘cost’ to his team from the night, Slot continued: “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.
“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.”
Alexander-Arnold’s injury comes at a very wrong time for Liverpool, given that the club’s other right-back options, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, are currently on the sidelines with injuries.
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