Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has refused to rule Trent Alexander-Arnold out of the Merseyside derby clash with Everton on Wednesday evening, but Joe Gomez will be absent.
The Reds head to Goodison Park for the final time this week, in what represents their most important game of the season so far.
Slot’s Liverpool side know that victory away to their local rivals will take them nine points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League, but it promises to be a tough assignment.
There have been some injury concerns leading up to the match, and while Joe Gomez is out, Slot told reporters [via This Is Anfield] that Alexander-Arnold has a chance of featuring, having returned to training.
“Trent has done parts of training sessions with us. Not sessions, a session yesterday,” Slot said.
“So let’s see how he is today. He will train hopefully with us again and we have to decide if we take him to the game.
“Joe, it’s the same leg again where he had the injury last time. We’re still assessing that, but he will definitely not be available tomorrow.”
Is playing Trent worth the risk for Liverpool?
Alexander-Arnold is clearly a hugely important player, given his unrivalled creativity from right-back, so the idea of him starting against Everton is a massive positive, with Slot describing him as “unbelievable”.
The 26-year-old can only afford to be played if the manager genuinely thinks he is ready, however, rather than throwing an undercooked player in for a game that is likely to be intense throughout.
In Conor Bradley, Liverpool have a great backup option at right-back, with the Northern Ireland international proving to be such a reliable performer whenever Alexander-Arnold has been absent.
The 21-year-old shouldn’t be daunted by the occasion, having played in plenty of big games already, not least producing a memorable tackle on Kylian Mbappe in the 2-0 win at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League earlier this season.
Should Alexander-Arnold be fit, having him in the starting XI would feel significant, though, with Liverpool’s vice-captain knowing the importance of the derby as much as anyone, as well as possessing world-class quality.
If he misses out, let’s just hope he hasn’t faced Everton for the final time.
