10 January 2024 , 12:00
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Jurgen Klopp has a selection dilemma on his hands ahead of Liverpool's Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg tie against Fulham after Trent Alexander-Arnold was ruled out for "a few weeks".
Alexander-Arnold, 24, has become one of Liverpool's most consistent performers over the past couple of years and his absence is a major blow for the Reds. The England international has scored two goals and grabbed nine assists in 25 matches this season and he was rewarded with the captain's armband against Arsenal on Sunday.
However, Alexander-Arnold has now been ruled out for at least the next couple of weeks after suffering a lateral knee ligament tear in the FA Cup win at the Emirates. With Liverpool next in action against Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday, Klopp will be forced to make at least one change to the starting XI.
But who will fill Alexander-Arnold's place at right-back? Here, Mirror Football has had a look at three possible ways Klopp could solve his predicament on the right side of the back four.
Like-for-like replacement
The most likely outcome would be Conor Bradley coming in for just his second Liverpool start of the season. The 20-year-old came on for the final 15 minutes at Arsenal and impressed as the Reds progressed in the FA Cup.
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Unlike Alexander-Arnold, who often drifts into midfield areas, Bradley is seen as more of a 'modern full-back' who races up and down the flank, engaging in attacks and bursting back to support his defenders.
The Northern Irishman shone on loan at Bolton last season but hasn't had a consistent run in the XI under Klopp, having made eight senior appearances since making his Liverpool debut.
Conor Bradley in action for Liverpool against Arsenal on Sunday (Getty Images)Gomez in at right-back
Although Joe Gomez has filled in at left-back in recent matches, the 25-year-old could move back across to right-back in Alexander-Arnold's absence. Klopp has used Gomez on the left side of the back four after Kostas Tsimikas joined Andrew Robertson on the treatment table.
But Klopp has the option to shift Gomez across to right-back and use Luke Chambers - an academy graduate who made his Liverpool debut against Leicester earlier this season. Chambers then started Liverpool's 5-1 victory over Toulouse in the Europa League and could come in against Fulham.
Joe Gomez could be deployed at right-back (Getty Images)Jones experiment
This experiment was trailed in Liverpool's win over Leicester in September, as Curtis Jones played 79 minutes at right-back. Apart from losing his marker for the Foxes' opening goal, Jones didn't do much else wrong.
Jones is not a natural right-back, but what he can offer is similar to Alexander-Arnold as his passing range is excellent and he will be able to drift into midfield and pick up those half spaces.
However, Klopp can hardly take any risks on Wednesday against a Fulham side who put three past them at Anfield just over a month ago and might avoid using Jones in a relatively unnatural position.