Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United this weekend due to injury, but he may return before the season concludes. Alexander-Arnold left the field limping during the second half of Liverpool’s Champions League round-of-16 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat for the Premier League leaders. He was substituted by Jarell Quansah, who is now expected to start at Wembley and has recently been called up to Thomas Tuchel’s first England squad.

“Trent is not available,” head coach Arne Slot stated during a press conference on Friday. “He won’t be participating in the final. We still need to evaluate how long his recovery will take, but we anticipate he will be back before the season ends.” Additionally, centre-back Ibrahima Konaté will also undergo assessment after being substituted during extra time against PSG.

As we are looking forward to this weekend’s final, Slot shared his excitement: “We’re super eager to play in a final again. You can’t take these opportunities lightly, especially in a country where so many strong teams compete in every cup. “We’re excited to be in the mix, and naturally, when you’re in it, you aim to win. But Newcastle has the same goal, too.”

Slot expressed his desire for captain Virgil van Dijk to remain at Anfield for the upcoming season, following the defender’s admission that he is uncertain about his future with the club. Van Dijk, along with teammates Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, will see their contracts expire at the end of the current season, allowing them to engage in discussions with foreign clubs regarding potential pre-contract agreements. After Liverpool’s exit from the Champions League on Tuesday night, the 33-year-old disclosed that no decisions have been made regarding his future. “I don’t even know myself,” Van Dijk stated. “It is well known that there are some discussions taking place behind the scenes, but that is it about it.

I have no clue what the following year brings. Anyone claiming to have that information is lying. Slot has also remarked on the matter, claiming that the uncertainty surrounding Van Dijk’s future has no impact on his preparations for the forthcoming season. “What I can say is that I want Virgil to remain with us next season; everything else is just contract discussions, which is not my focus here,” said the player. “It doesn’t impact my planning, not for me.”