By Simon Wilkes
Liverpool boss Arne Slot does not feel fatigue will be a factor for the Reds in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final with Newcastle – but has confirmed Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss out at Wembley.
Liverpool are well placed for Premier League glory in Slot’s first season in the Anfield hot-seat, having established a 15-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand.
But they can possibly get their hands on silverware this Sunday, when they take on Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final (4.30pm kick-off).
European heartbreak
Slot’s troops were dumped out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, after a gruelling tie which went to a penalty shootout.
But the Liverpool boss does not expect tiredness to be a factor when they face Howe’s Magpies, telling a press conference on Friday: “I think it’s quite normal that players are tired in extra time, especially if the 90 minutes were so intense and you don’t get a reward for that.
“I made five changes, so five out of the 10 [outfield] players on the pitch could never be tired.
“So I don’t think that was the reason why Paris Saint-Germain were better in the last half an hour. In my opinion, that had nothing to do with us being tired.
“There are four days in between. The players are able to play on Sunday again, definitely.”
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Spell on sidelines
One player who won’t be playing is England right-back Alexander-Arnold, who is set to spend a spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury.
Slot is hoping Ibrahima Konate will recover from a knock to start, but added: “Trent is not available. He will not be there at the final.
“He is still to be assessed for how long it will take but we do expect him back before the end of the season.
“In this part of the season, it’s almost impossible to have all your players fit.
“Both teams have two, or three or four players who cannot play. That’s almost a privilege because so many teams have had more than that.
“Two or three injuries is the minimum you can expect after months of non-stop football.
“It’s a big compliment to the staff of Newcastle and Liverpool that players are available.”
Final a special occasion
Slot is relishing the occasion of his first final in English football – but feels Newcastle will be equally as fired up for the showpiece match.
The Liverpool manager said: “A final, in this country, is always special because there are so many strong teams.
“If you reach a final, it’s always a big moment, for them and for us. You can never take a final for granted.
“We don’t play every final every season. It’s special for them, but definitely also for us.”
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