Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is fit to start Saturday’s Premier League clash against Manchester City. The defender was spotted in training today.
The 26-year-old returned to the squad as an unused substitute in Wednesday’s Champions League victory over Real Madrid, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
His return is timely, with fellow defender Conor Bradley a doubt for the game after picking up an injury against Madrid. Ibrahima Konate is also uncertain after limping off during the match.
“Conor, I had to take him off, and Ibou didn’t walk off the pitch as he should have after such a fantastic game,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference. “He should have made a round and clapped the fans, but he couldn’t.”
Liverpool want to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eleven points with a victory over City, who have struggled for form in recent weeks. Despite their recent struggles, Slot expects a tough challenge from the reigning champions.
“In the last eight or nine years or longer, I don’t think anyone would have said City home or away – the word easy never comes to mind,” he said. “They are still a very, very, very good team.”
Alexander-Arnold will be a weapon against a City side that has continued to concede big chances this season. Their most recent Premier League outing ended up in a 4-0 mullering at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur.
They thought they could end their five-game losing streak when they went 3-0 up against Dutch giants Feyenoord, but the Eredivisie side made it 3-3 to extend City’s winless run.
An 11-point lead at this stage could blow the Cityzens out of the park and establish Liverpool as a prime candidate for the league title. Chelsea, in third place, are not nearly consistent enough. Arsenal might be able to put up a challenge, but there are still question marks around them.
