Pep Lijnders provides blunt response to Trent Alexander-Arnold injury blow

09 January 2024 , 22:30

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Pep Lijnders has made it clear no one is irreplaceable at Liverpool (Image: YouTube/This is Anfield)

Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders has warned the Reds' rivals they've got more than one 'weapon' after Trent Alexander-Arnold's knee injury revelation.

Kop defender Alexander-Arnold has been a creative force for the Reds this season with nine assists as well as being a spark in starting attacks.

But he is facing around three weeks out with a ligament tear and will miss Wednesday's Carabao Cup semi-final tie with Fulham at Anfield. Lijnders said: “We have many weapons so there is no one irreplaceable here.”

The right-back will also sit out the Premier League clash with Bournemouth as well as the second leg against the Cottagers and FA Cup fourth round. Alexander-Arnold will then face a race to be fit for the league clash with Chelsea at the end of the month after picking up the injury in his side’s 2-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday.

Lijnders said: “He hyper-extended his knee in the game and he has a little tear in the lateral collateral ligament and will be out probably three weeks.”

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The Reds are also without Mo Salah and midfielder Wataru Endo this month because of their involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asia Cup with their countries.

Lijnders added: “Mo goes away, [Diogo] Jota steps up. If the best players are not there and you play really well - the second half against Arsenal - then that's a really good sign and that's what we've always done.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of action for Liverpool

“We don't rely on one, two, three or four players. Now we have to find solutions without Trent as well but, again, this squad has so much talent, so much power, and as long as counter-pressing is there everything else is replaceable.”

Chris McKenna