Football news - Trent Alexander-Arnold injury gives Liverpool more problems to deal with

ByPA Sport

Updated 15/01/2019 at 16:19 GMT

Liverpool have been dealt another defensive injury blow after Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out for a month with a knee problem.

Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool looks on as he is given treatment during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Liverpool and SSC Napoli at Anfield on December 11, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

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The England international sustained a problem in the warm-up ahead of Saturday’s win at Brighton but played the full 90 minutes and Press Association Sport understands he has tweaked ligaments.

With Joe Gomez still working his way back to fitness after a broken foot and right-back Nathaniel Clyne loaned to Bournemouth earlier this month, it leaves manager Jurgen Klopp short of options.

James Milner appears the likely candidate to start at home to Crystal Palace on Saturday, although fellow midfielder Fabinho – who played centre-back at the weekend because Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are not fully fit – could potentially fill in.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool battles for possession with Jurgen Locadia of Brighton and Hove Albion during the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool FC at American Express Community Stadium on January 12, 2019 in Brighto

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Matip was an unusued substitute against Brighton after recovering from a broken collarbone while Gomez has yet to return to full training.

Youngster Rafael Camacho made his first-team debut at right-back in the FA Cup defeat at Wolves and is likely to be on the bench again.

Fellow academy player Ki-Jana Hoever also made his debut at Wolves, the 16-year-old becoming the third-youngest player in the club’s history, but is unlikely to be considered.

The Holland youth international has endured the highs and lows of football over the last week as he was sent off in the under-23’s Premier League 2 1-1 draw with Brighton a week after making his first-team debut.

At first it appeared the youngster would be booked for a tangle with Aaron Connolly but the intervention of the assistant referee resulted in a red card – something manager Neil Critchley plans to appeal against.

Liverpool's Dutch defender Ki-Jana Hoever (C) wits to be substitued on during the English FA Cup third round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on January 7, 2019.

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“It was a baffling decision, to say the least,” he told liverpoolfc.com.

“The referee had a yellow card in his hand and had given a free-kick outside the box, which it was – a clear foul and a booking.

“The linesman got involved and changed the decision. That changed the whole complexion of the game. Hopefully we can get that overturned.”

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