By Joe Matthews
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold has returned to training ahead of Wednesday night’s Merseyside derby.
The club are in dire need of a recovery after suffering a somewhat embarrassing loss to Plymouth Argyle, the team sitting rock-bottom of the Championship, in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Looking ahead to the derby, it represents a chance to go nine points clear of title-rivals Arsenal in the Premier League, and with the two sides’ last clash at Goodison resulting in a 2-0 loss for Liverpool, revenge will also be on many of the players’ minds.
Closely monitored
Slot did, however, say that his star right-back’s inclusion in the game was yet to be confirmed, and that the player’s fitness will be closely monitored prior to the fixture.
The 33-time England international could be key to breaking down a David Moyes side that is on a streak of three wins in a row in the top flight.
They were defeated by a high-flying Bournemouth side 2-0 in the FA Cup on Saturday, but with the stakes being so high at the last derby to be played at Goodison Park, Everton are sure to come flying out the blocks.
Shock defeat
The Liverpool boss also addressed Joe Gomez’s situation, as he went off injured in the 11th minute in the Reds’ shock defeat to the Championship strugglers.
He said: “With Joe (Gomez), it’s the same leg where he had the injury last time. We are still assessing that but he will definitely not be available.”
Gomez has been pivotal for Liverpool over the years, playing a key part in both their title-winning Premier League campaign in 2019-20, as well as their Champions League victory the season prior.
His role in the squad in recent years has evolved, with signings like Ibrahima Konate, and the emergence of stars like Trent and Quansah limiting his game time.
It has meant he has featured in his favoured centre-back and right-back positions, as well as taking up space at left-back during injury crises, as well as a very brief foray forwards at holding midfielder.
Regardless, he will certainly not feature on Wednesday night, and it is not looking all too likely that his England compatriot will feature either.
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