Arne Slot has declared he would be ‘surprised’ if Trent Alexander-Arnold features in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham next week.
The 26-year-old was taken off during Liverpool‘s 2-0 win against Bournemouth midway through the second half after he went down with an injury.
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He had to be replaced by Conor Bradley in the 70th minute after requiring assistance from Liverpool medics.
And he may now be absent for the second leg of the club’s Carabao Cup tie against Spurs at Anfield as they look to overturn a 1-0 first leg defeat.
Speaking to talkSPORT following Liverpool’s victory at the Vitality Stadium to move nine points clear at the top of the table, Slot hinted Alexander-Arnold could be set for a short spell on the sidelines.
He said of the defender’s knock: “Indeed, it’s a negative.
“It is never nice to see a player that goes down. We have to wait and see how bad it is.
“I would be surprised if he will play on Thursday.
“Let’s not jump to conclusions too fast, but normally if a player goes out, then he’s out for at least a few days and hopefully it’s going to be a few days.”
Slot added: “I know where he felt a bit of pain.
“But we have to wait and see what it is.”
A double from Mohamed Salah ensured the Reds picked up all three points against Bournemouth and took his season tally to 21 goals.
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One of the Egyptian’s goals came via a penalty in the first half after Cody Gakpo was brought down by Cherries skipper Lewis Cook.
Cook appeared to have clipped Gakpo’s legs and after a brief VAR check, the decision was upheld.
The Premier League Match Centre account on X later clarified the reason why it was upheld, citing there had ‘been a trip by Cook on Gakpo.’
The Reds will look to continue their winning form when they host Tottenham on Thursday.
Should Liverpool overturn the 1-0 deficit, it would book them into the Carabao Cup final for a third time in four years.
In a positive omen for Slot’s side, they did not lose either of the two previous Carabao Cup finals as they beat Chelsea on penalties in 2022 and after extra time last season.
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Should Liverpool make the final, they will face either Arsenal or Newcastle.
The Magpies have one foot in the final after a 2-0 win at the Emirates Stadium in the first leg.
