26 September 2023 , 14:03
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is nearing a return for Liverpool after missing three matches with a hamstring injury.
Alexander-Arnold has not played since being forced off during Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Aston Villa on September 3. The Reds have managed to win all three games without their first-choice right-back, overcoming Wolves, LASK and West Ham by a 3-1 scoreline.
But Jurgen Klopp is desperate to get the England international back in his side, with Liverpool facing four games in 12 days. Liverpool’s assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders spoke to reporters ahead of the next match against Leicester in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night and had some good news on the club’s vice-captain.
“Trent trained yesterday with us but it was just in the rondo and the ball possession with the counter-pressing, but he was outstanding,” Ljinders said on Tuesday. “You see him instantly, of course. He is with the team training, I am not sure if he will be ready, we will see today.
“But then if we speak about Trent we have to make a compliment to Joe Gomez because the way he played the role, played the role in his way but still being able to come inside as well, was just incredible.
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“His level and attitude, just a big compliment to him because you are replacing one of the best full-backs in the world. He did really, really well. That’s good and shows a lot about our squad as well, that we can have that."
Gomez has started the last two Premier League matches at right-back for Liverpool, while he also came off the bench to replace Stefan Bajcetic in the opening Europa League game in Austria. The 26-year-old defender is more comfortable in central defence but has regularly filed in at right-back since joining the Reds in 2015.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is back training with the team (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)He has been afforded time in the position after Klopp opted to send specialist full-back Calvin Ramsay on loan to Preston to gain experience. But while Gomez is a more than capable stand-in, he cannot offer the same attacking threat as Alexander-Arnold.
The 24-year-old has 16 goals and 73 assists in 277 appearances for his boyhood club and his return to the side will therefore come as a major boost. Liverpool will have to continue without midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who has not played for the club since April due to injury.
“He is in a good way, the healing process is going well so that’s the most important [thing] at this moment,” Ljinders said of the 32-year-old.
Liverpool play Leicester in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday at Anfield before a trip to north London to take on unbeaten Tottenham in the Premier League on Saturday. They will then face Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League and Brighton before the next international break.