Liverpool host West Ham in the Premier League this season weekend and Trent Alexander-Arnold could be set to make his return from injury.
The Reds secured another league win in their last outing away to Wolves last Saturday, leaving it late to pick up a 3-1 victory at Molineux.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had to make do without Alexander-Arnold, however, who has been nursing a hamstring issue since limping off against Aston Villa before the international break.
Joe Gomez had an up-and-down performance in his absence at right-back, recovering up against Wolves’ Pedro Neto after a poor start, and the hope is that his teammate comes in for him for Sunday’s visit of West Ham.
According to The Athletic‘s James Pearce, that looks likely to be the case, with the 24-year-old fighting hard to be available for selection this weekend:
“Trent Alexander-Arnold won’t feature for Liverpool against LASK – but he’s targeting Sunday’s Premier League home clash with West Ham for his return to action.
[…]”Alexander-Arnold is hopeful that he will be able to face David Moyes’ side but Liverpool won’t take any risks with their vice-captain, who will continue to be monitored closely.”
Our thoughts on Alexander-Arnold’s possible return…
There is no doubt that this is great news for Liverpool, with Alexander-Arnold someone who is such an influential player, and arguably the creative hub of the team, proving to be one of the Premier League’s best passers.
The boyhood Reds fan has been excelling in his new role in Klopp’s tweaked system, running games from midfield when his side have possession, and he is capable of opening up the opposition with one piece of brilliance.
As mentioned, Gomez grew into the game against Wolves but is far more limited than Alexander-Arnold in a technical sense, so Liverpool will be a more fearsome proposition with the latter on the pitch at home to West Ham.
The defensive side of his game has been criticised, however, and if he does come back in, he will have to be switched on up against dangerous counter-attacking opponents, with the likes of Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio capable of hurting the Reds.
