Arne Slot shares Liverpool team news v Plymouth amid Alexander-Arnold update
Liverpool have secured their place in one cup final so far this season after seeing Tottenham off with a 4-0 win in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final.
However, Arne Slot will be eager to see take his side to Wembley in the FA Cup too as he looks to bring success to Anfield in his first season in charge.
The Reds face a trip to Plymouth Argyle on Sunday (9 February) as they look to carry on their impressive form and make it to the fifth round of the competition.
Alexander-Arnold out of Liverpool game v Plymouth
Although supporters will be expecting to see changes to the side that Slot puts out to take on the Pilgrims, the Reds will certainly be eager to get the job done in the 90 minutes with a trip to Goodison Park awaiting on Wednesday.
In addition to this, the manager will want to have his strongest players available to him ensuring he is in a position where he can set up his team in the way he sees necessary to carry on his side’s success this term.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off in his side’s 2-0 victory against Bournemouth last time out in the Premier League and also missed the Carabao Cup semi-final victory against Tottenham, which ensured a 4-1 aggregate triumph.
During his pre-match press conference for the Plymouth game (7 February), the boss provided an update on his fitness and when asked if he would be available against Plymouth, said: “No, I don’t think so yet. That’s going to be too early for him.”
“Difficult to say [about the game against Everton]. Like I said before, it’s not going to take months and not even weeks but that’s only three days after the Plymouth Argyle game, so let’s wait and see if he is available.
“We also have to look at the long term, of course we don’t want to take any risks with so many games afterwards coming up. But if he’s fit then of course we will use him.”
Liverpool don’t need to rush Alexander-Arnold recovery
Of course supporters will want to see the right-back return to the starting line-up as soon as he is available, but the manager is right when he says that the Reds should be measured when thinking about his return and not risk a long-term setback by bringing him back too quickly.
As they prepare to face a side sitting at the bottom of the Championship with five league wins under their belts for the season, the Merseyside outfit will be feeling confident about their chances to go and do the job they need to do in this game.
Slot isn’t the type of manager who will disrespect or underestimate his opponent but similarly, as the side leading proceedings in the Premier League this term, they should be able to get the job done without their strongest players available.
Moving on to the Merseyside derby, the Reds are the favourites again when you look at Premier League positions but with the Blues winning three of their four games under David Moyes so far and it being the last derby at Goodison Park, this could well be a tough test.
Furthermore, as a local boy, if he can be involved you can imagine Alexander-Arnold would love the opportunity to play for a final time at Goodison in what will no doubt be a fiery affair.
Nevertheless, there is plenty to play for at Anfield this term and with that in mind, Slot will have to make the selection decisions that best serve his side in the long run.