Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided updates on the injuries suffered by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate during the Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain
09:06, 12 Mar 2025
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool goes down injured during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold went off injured for Liverpool against Paris-Saint Germain and could miss the Carabao Cup final versus Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed doubts about Trent Alexander-Arnold's availability for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle.
The Premier League leaders' Dutch boss admitted he would be 'surprised' if the right-back makes it to Wembley following his injury last night in the loss to Paris Saint-Germain. Slot is, however, more hopeful regarding Ibrahima Konate, who also went off injured against the French giants.
Both defenders were forced to leave the pitch during Liverpool's Champions League loss in the second leg to PSG. After the match ended 1-0 in normal time and led to a 4-1 defeat on penalties for Liverpool, concerns heightened over the fitness of two key defenders ahead of their clash against Newcastle at Wembley.Slot, reflecting on the team's exit from the Champions League, provided updates on the players: "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.
"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."
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 11: Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Liverpool FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield on March 11, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Ibrahima Konate is an injury doubt for Liverpool for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Slot also commented on the physical toll taken by playing 120 minutes just days before the cup final, reports the Mirror. He said: "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."
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With Slot facing a selection headache, Jarell Quansah, 22, is tipped to step in for Alexander-Arnold, with right-back options Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez both absent due to injuries. While Quansah and Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo are both contenders to fill Konate's boots as centre-back, Liverpool will be keeping their fingers crossed for his swift return to play.Over at Newcastle, Anthony Gordon is sidelined by suspension, while Eddie Howe has to navigate without injured defenders Sven Botman and Lewis Hall. Meanwhile, their main man up front, Alexander Isak, looks set to make the starting line-up, after shaking off fitness concerns.