Alexander-Arnold a doubt to face Madrid – Slot

Arne Slot has said Liverpool will have to “wait and see” whether Trent Alexander-Arnold is available to face Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League next week, with the defender ruled out of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Southampton.

Alexander-Arnold was substituted after 25 minutes in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa after picking up a hamstring injury, and Slot confirmed on Friday that the 26-year-old is yet to return to team training.

“Trent is not training yet but he is getting there,” he said. “We expect him back soon.”

When pressed on whether Alexander-Arnold will be available to feature against Madrid at Anfield next Wednesday, Slot added: “That is something that we have to wait and see because I just said that the last few days of recovery is always the most tricky because they have to go from isolated training sessions to group training sessions so it’s difficult to judge.”

Last week, sources told ESPN that Alexander-Arnold is expected to return against Madrid. The right-back’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the past few months, with his Liverpool contract set to expire at the end of the season.

He has been heavily linked with a move to the Bernabéu and ESPN understands he is Madrid’s top defensive target following a season-ending injury to Dani Carvajal last month.

Liverpool are also set to be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker for this weekend’s trip to St Mary’s Stadium, with attacking duo Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa also ruled out.

Captain Virgil van Dijk — who withdrew from international duty in the Netherlands on “medical grounds” earlier this week — has been deemed fit to face Russell Martin’s side.

“Alisson? We’re careful with everyone when it comes to muscles,” Slot said. “He is back in training with the goalkeeper coach and not training with the team but that is expected soon. Let’s wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness, getting better and better but not ready.

“Harvey [Elliott] is with us now, been out for many weeks but with the team now on the pitch.

“Jota is still the same as Federico who is coming back into the session after one exercise today. All expected back in a few weeks but the last part of recovery is always the hardest, so let’s wait and see. Virgil is fine.”

Liverpool are five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, having won nine of their 11 games in the competition this term.