Liverpool will be without at least four players when they face Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday.
Arne Slot has the opportunity to win his first trophy as Liverpool boss when he leads his side out at Wembley this weekend.
The Reds qualified for this round by beating Tottenham Hotspur 4-1 on aggregate in the last round. Southampton, Brighton, and West Ham have been vanquished along the road to the final, which could see Liverpool win their eleventh League Cup trophy in history.
Liverpool arguably couldn’t have asked for a better opponent historically since they have beaten Newcastle in seven of the last eight H2Hs (D1), most recently just last month in a 2-0 victory at Anfield.
However, an injury-hit backline could scupper their chances here. Liverpool are set to be without four first-team players for this game.
Slot confirmed that injuries to some of his defenders could result in him fielding a midfielder at right back.
Speaking during his pre-match press conference on Friday morning, the head coach was asked for an update on the duo and whether Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo are his options at right-back, with Liverpool’s major right-back options sidelined.
He said: “I think maybe even Curtis [Jones] can play there. And you can also play as a left-footed defender on the right side, which is what Newcastle do at the moment, but on the opposite [side].
“So, Trent is indeed not available. He will not be there at the final. But he is still to be assessed for how long it’s going to take but we do expect him back in the end of the season.”
With that, Slot effectively confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be unavailable for selection on Sunday.
The No.66 was forced off in the second half of Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield last Tuesday. Thankfully, his injury is not as serious as was initially feared.
Conor Bradley is also another absentee for the trip to Wembley.
The Northern Ireland international sustained a muscle injury in the 2-2 Premier League draw at Aston Villa on February 19.
Slot confirmed last month that “He is out for a few weeks. I cannot tell exactly how many, but it is clear that he went off with a muscle injury and that it is going to take a while before he is back.”
Joe Gomez is another player set to miss the final on Sunday. The Englishman was forced off in the Emirates FA Cup loss at Plymouth Argyle and had to undergo surgery on a hamstring injury that will see him sidelined for an extended spell.
“Joe Gomez had surgery for his hamstring injury, so he’s out for a long time, Slot confirmed last month.
“He will be back maybe just before the end of the season.”
Elsewhere, Tyler Morton is still recovering from injury after going through surgery to correct a shoulder injury.
Finally, Ibrahima Konate, who had to be subbed off in the loss to PSG on Tuesday, is expected to be fit for the final on Sunday.
Although he hadn’t trained with the first team since the loss, Slot confirmed that he expects him to be fit for Sunday’s clash.
“What about Ibou Konate? We didn’t train yesterday; we were on a day off, and the day before was recovery, so I expect him to train with us today, but let’s see how he is.”
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