Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury woes struck again at Anfield, with the Liverpool right-back being forced off in the first half during Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Aston Villa on Saturday.
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Alexander-Arnold, who pulled up and pointed to his right hamstring in discomfort, was visibly upset as he spoke with the physio. Just 25 minutes into the match, he signaled to the bench, leading to his replacement by young Conor Bradley.
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, expressed concern about the injury’s impact on the player’s availability for the international break, including England’s Nations League matches against Greece and the Republic of Ireland. Slot acknowledged the uncertainty around Alexander-Arnold’s fitness: “It’s difficult to say how serious it is, but if a player asks to come off early, it’s always serious.”
Adding to the speculation about his absence, Slot clarified that Alexander-Arnold didn’t leave the game out of exhaustion but because of genuine discomfort. “He asked for it himself because he felt something in the hamstring, not because he was tired. It’s never a good sign when a player does that,” Slot remarked. Though he remains cautious about predicting the recovery timeline, Slot suggested it’s unlikely Alexander-Arnold will join England’s squad this week.
The setback comes at a pivotal time as Liverpool continues to strengthen its lead in the Premier League. Goals from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool secure a five-point gap over Manchester City.
With Alexander-Arnold potentially sidelined, Liverpool’s medical staff will focus on his rehabilitation to ensure his return for their November 24 clash against Southampton. Meanwhile, England’s coaching team will be keeping close tabs, hoping he recovers in time for future national fixtures.
