Trent Alexander-Arnold
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The Athletic has revealed the exact injury Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered.
The Liverpool defender suffered an injury during Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League round-of-16 clash against PSG last week Tuesday.
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. He was forced off in the 72nd minute and was replaced by Jarell Quansah.
Observers at Anfield noted that Alexander-Arnold appeared devastated as he made his way off, raising immediate concerns about ligament damage rather than a simple twist or bruise.
As a result of his injury, he missed Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle United. During his pre-match press conference ahead of last Sunday’s final, Arne Slot confirmed that the time scale of Alexandre-Arnold’s injury was unknown.
“We still need to assess how long he will be out, but we do expect him back before the end of the season,” Slot said.
The Athletic has now revealed the exact nature of the defender’s injury while giving a potential return date for the Liverpool vice-captain.
“Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is targeting a return to action by the end of April as he recovers from a high ankle sprain,” said James Pearce of The Athletic.
“The England international was forced off in discomfort during the second half of last week’s Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain. Further assessment has confirmed that he suffered a syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain) with some damage to the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula above the ankle point.”
The journalist also revealed that Alexander-Arnold will be unavailable for Livrpool’s next game but is expected to be back at some point in April.
“There is no set timescale with much depending on how Alexander-Arnold responds to treatment in the coming weeks,” he noted.
“However, the healing process is already going well and he’s hopeful of being given the green light to resume training at some point in April.
“Alexander-Arnold will certainly be absent for the Merseyside derby at Anfield on April 2. That’s the first of five league games for Arne Slot’s side next month, with Chelsea (away), Arsenal (home), Brighton (away) and Crystal Palace (home) to follow in May.”
Liverpool will miss Alexander Arnold, especially considering that their other right-back options, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez, are also currently sidelined.
However, the Reds are expected to seal the Premier League title without him, given that they are currently 12 points clear of Arsenal and need a maximum of 16 points from their remaining nine matches to be crowned champions.
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