Slot confirms Alexander-Arnold will miss EFL Cup clash against Spurs

Arne Slot has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss Liverpool’s EFL Cup semi-final second-leg clash with Tottenham on Thursday with a suspected thigh injury.

Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Conor Bradley in the 70th minute of the Reds’ 2-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League last Saturday.

The England international has featured in all but one of Liverpool’s top-flight fixtures this season, missing their 3-2 win over Southampton in November with a hamstring issue.

Only Mohamed Salah (52) has created more chances than Alexander-Arnold (45) in the Premier League this term, as Slot’s side sit six points clear at the summit.

But if they are to overturn a 1-0 deficit from the first leg against Tottenham and reach Wembley for the final, they must do so without one of their key creators.

“He is going to miss the game tomorrow. We will have to see if he can play Sunday but what we do know is that he is not available for tomorrow,” Slot told reporters.

“He left the pitch with a bit of pain in his leg. He is back on the pitch with the rehab coach, so let’s see how long it is going to take, but he will not be available for tomorrow.”

Slot also insists he is happy with his squad for the remainder of the season, having not welcomed any new arrivals during the January transfer window.

Liverpool were one of five teams, along with Chelsea, Arsenal, Fulham and Newcastle United, that did not make any signings at the halfway stage of the campaign.

There were a number of outgoings at Anfield, though, albeit on temporary deals. Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic and Kaide Gordon were just a few of the names sent out on loan.

Joe Gomez is Liverpool’s only major injury absentee, with Diogo Jota and Curtis Jones back among the squad for their win at the Vitality Stadium last time out.

“I’ve said it many times, we have a very good squad and if you look at the league table, the players have shown that the trust we have in them was correct,” Slot added.

“We don’t have, apart from Trent now, many long-term injuries.

“We did have some injury problems with Alisson and Diogo Jota and some others but at the moment, apart from Trent, they were all available today.

“So, there is not a reason to add something to the team unless you have a chance in the market.

“That is something we saw last time with the goalkeeper [Giorgi Mamardashvili] we brought in because we saw there was a chance in the market.

“For now, we are happy with the team that we have.”