Arne Slot delivers major injury update on Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate ahead of Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle

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 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday and his absence leaves Slot without a recognised right back for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final 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, Ibrahima Konate could be available for Sunday.

But Liverpool team-mate Konate could be available to face Newcastle at Wembley on Sunday

Arne Slot delivered a major injury update on Friday, just three days after Liverpool lost to PSG

Konate limped off during extra time on Tuesday but Slot said on Friday morning that the French defender was expected to train in the afternoon.

Newcastle also have availability concerns ahead of Sunday’s Wembley showpiece.

Lewis Hall, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles will all miss the final with various injury issues, while former Liverpool youth player Anthony Gordon is suspended. 

Leaders Liverpool are 23 points ahead of Newcastle in the Premier League and 15 above Arsenal in second place.

It looks almost certain that the league title will end up at Anfield this season, but the Reds’ hopes of a double now rely on Carabao Cup glory, following Tuesday’s exit from Europe and February’s shock loss to Plymouth in the FA Cup.