Updated / Friday, 14 Mar 2025 11:23
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing an extended spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury but head coach Arne Slot insists he will be back before the end of the season.
The 26-year-old was injured in the second half of the Champions League exit to Paris St Germain on Tuesday and his absence leaves Slot without a recognised right-back for Sunday's Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United as Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are still recovering from injuries.
"Trent is not available. He will not be there at the final," said Slot.
"But he is still to be assessed for how long it will take but we do expect him back before the end of the season."
Alexander-Arnold had already been left out of Thomas Tuchel's first England squad.
Meanwhile Newcastle striker Alexander Isak (above) has put talks over his future on hold as he attempts to help end the club's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.
The 25-year-old Sweden international's scintillating goalscoring form - he has 22 to his name so far this season - has seen him repeatedly linked with a move away from St James' Park with Arsenal among the destinations persistently touted.
However, he insists he will not allow the speculation to derail the Magpies' bid to go one better than they did against Manchester United in the same competition two seasons ago when they run out at Wembley.
"This club can achieve great things," said Isak. "I think we should really look at it one season at a time and this season we can achieve winning a trophy which would be amazing for everyone.
"About my future, it's nothing really I think about. I've said many times during a season just focus on the job and now is probably the worst time to think about anything else so all of our focus is just on Sunday and doing good and hopefully bringing the trophy back to Newcastle."
Asked if he was open to signing a new deal at St James' Park this summer, he added: "I've said I'm not really thinking about the summer, but yes, that'll probably be a talking point once the season is finished.
"We will really see because no talks have been held yet."