Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on February 25th due to a knee injury. However, Klopp also revealed that Mohamed Salah is available for their upcoming game against Brentford on Saturday.
Alexander-Arnold, 25, initially sustained the knee injury during Liverpool's FA Cup match against Arsenal on January 7th. He made a return as a substitute against Norwich later that month but was forced off at halftime during Liverpool's 3-1 victory over Burnley last weekend.
Klopp acknowledged the injury and stated that Alexander-Arnold could potentially return to action 'a week or two' after the Carabao Cup final. The manager also defended the decision to bring the right-back back into the team, dismissing suggestions that he was rushed back too soon.
Addressing the issue, Klopp said, 'I think we have to clarify a bit. I got the news that there was a discussion about we might have forced Trent back because of two setbacks. It's really unfortunate. But different cases, different scenarios. As long as I'm here, we never forced anybody back, [and] will never do.'
Klopp emphasized that the final decision always rests with the player and that playing after just two weeks of recovery would be a real problem. He expressed sympathy for Alexander-Arnold's situation, describing it as unlucky and unfortunate, but stressed that it does not reflect the quality of the player or the team.
In addition to Alexander-Arnold, midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is also doubtful for the Carabao Cup final as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.
On a positive note, Klopp confirmed that Mohamed Salah is fit again and has returned to full training this week. Salah had been sidelined since sustaining a hamstring injury while representing Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. The forward last played for Liverpool in their 4-2 victory over Newcastle on New Year's Day.
Furthermore, Klopp revealed that goalkeeper Alisson and defenders Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley, and Ibrahima Konaté are all available for Saturday's game against Brentford.
