Trent Alexander-Arnold: Injury progress & potential return date for Liverpool defender

Trent Alexander-Arnold's evolution under Jurgen Klopp has surely thrust him to the forefront of Gareth Southgate's thinking for Euro 2024.

Once regarded as a revolutionary full-back with questionable defensive abilities, Alexander-Arnold has since developed into a leader of his boyhood club; one capable of dictating matches from a deep-lying midfield position.

The full-back-cum-midfielder has been one of the standout players of 2023/24 so far, with his otherworldly passing range aiding the return of heavy metal football at Anfield. Liverpool are once again fast, direct, and stellar in transition, with Trent so often setting the Reds on their way.

Alexander-Arnold will be pivotal to their success this season, with Klopp's men still dreaming of a potential quadruple come the end of the season. However, the defender is currently sidelined due to injury and is likely to miss some massive games for the Reds.

What injury does Trent Alexander-Arnold have?

Alexander-Arnold had spent several weeks out of action at the beginning of 2024 after sustaining an injury against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round. The 25-year-old returned at the end of the month in the fourth round against Norwich City, but suffered a knee injury during a 3-1 victory against Burnley in early February.

Out with a lateral collateral ligament problem, Alexander-Arnold has had to watch on from the sidelines in recent weeks, with young Conor Bradley having performed wonderfully during his absence.

When will Trent Alexander-Arnold return from injury?

Alexander-Arnold is one of a number of Liverpool players currently sidelined and the bad news for Klopp is that the defender's return is not imminent. Prior to the Carabao Cup final, Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed that he will almost certainly be out until after the March international break.

That means he will miss some pivotal clashes for Liverpool, including both legs of the Europa League last 16 tie with Sparta Prague and Premier League fixtures against Everton and Manchester City.

What Liverpool games has Trent Alexander-Arnold missed due to injury?

Alexander-Arnold has missed just three matches since suffering his latest knee injury, but one of them was the Carabao Cup final victory against Chelsea last Sunday. Virgil van Dijk's 118th-minute header won it for the Reds, who are still on for an admittedly unlikely quadruple this term.

The other two games Alexander-Arnold missed were 4-1 Premier League victories, the first away at Brentford and the second at home to Luton Town. Despite some nervy moments for Liverpool's injury-hit squad, they claimed a maximum six points to maintain their spot at the summit of the Premier League table.

How have Liverpool done without Trent Alexander-Arnold and who has replaced him?

Liverpool have fared pretty well without Alexander-Arnold, winning all three games he has missed and their first piece of silverware of the campaign. While any side would miss the Englishman, the Reds have managed to cope without his dynamism.

That's chiefly down to Conor Bradley, who has been phenomenal in Alexander-Arnold's place. The 20-year-old has genuinely staked his claim for a starting role after some dazzling performances, while Joe Gomez has also proved handy in the full-back roles this season.

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