Liverpool have suffered a major injury blow as Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to miss the EFL Cup final against Chelsea, according to multiple reports.
The 25-year-old right-back suffered a recurrence of a knee problem in the first half of Liverpool's 3-1 home win over Burnley last weekend and was subsequently withdrawn at half time.
Manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed after the match that Alexander-Arnold's fresh injury would be assessed to determine the severity of the issue, with initial reports suggesting that he could be sidelined for two months.
According to The Telegraph, the timescale is unspecified, but Liverpool's encounter with Chelsea in the EFL Cup final at Wembley Stadium will come too soon for Alexander-Arnold.
The report adds that the England international is optimistic that he will recover in time for the Reds' Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest on March 2, eight days before a title showdown with champions Manchester City at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold is expected to miss Liverpool's next two Premier League games, before the EFL Cup final, at home against Brentford on Saturday and versus Luton Town four days later.
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It remains to be seen whether the versatile defender could be fit to return against Southampton in the FA Cup fifth round, a fixture that Klopp will be keen for Alexander-Arnold to feature in to build up his match fitness ahead of the crucial visit of Man City on March 10.
Alexander-Arnold was sidelined for three weeks with a knee injury earlier this year and subsequently missed three games in all competitions, including both legs of Liverpool's EFL Cup semi-final clash with Fulham.
The defender's latest setback comes as a huge blow for Liverpool and their hopes of lifting their first piece of silverware this season as they bid to win an unprecedented quadruple.
In the absence of Alexander-Arnold, Klopp could turn to academy starlet Conor Bradley to start at right-back, although his availability for Saturday's game against Brentford is currently unknown as the youngster has missed the last two matches to mourn the passing of his father.
Bradley, 20, has been a standout performer for Liverpool since the turn of the year and was named the club's Player of the Month for January after scoring once and providing five assists in six appearances across all competitions.
Meanwhile, Joe Gomez, who is hoping to recover from illness to be in contention to play against Brentford, could also be an option to play on the right side of the back four.
Oliver Thomas
