Liverpool’s frustrating Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night was compounded by an injury to vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold. The right-back suffered a concerning ankle issue in the second half at Anfield, which forced him to leave the pitch in the 73rd minute. Jarell Quansah replaced him, stepping into an unfamiliar right-back role.
Following the match, head coach Arne Slot admitted he doubted Alexander-Arnold would recover in time for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United. That concern has now been confirmed, with the 26-year-old officially ruled out of the Wembley showdown.
Shane Ryan, an advanced practice physiotherapist and director at Motherwell Physio, analyzed the injury and offered insight into the possible recovery timeline. Speaking on the clinic’s TikTok account, Ryan highlighted that the manner in which Alexander-Arnold’s foot planted into the ground appeared concerning. He suggested the injury could be a high ankle sprain, which affects the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL). This type of sprain is more severe than a standard ankle injury and often takes longer to heal. Recovery typically ranges from six to eight weeks, though the timeline can vary based on whether there is additional structural damage.
Ryan noted that while this prognosis is already lengthy, more severe cases could result in fractures or chronic instability, which would complicate Alexander-Arnold’s return. Liverpool will be hoping that the injury is not more serious than initially expected and that the right-back can recover within the standard timeframe.
Looking ahead, if Ryan’s estimate is accurate, Alexander-Arnold should return before the conclusion of the season, offering some relief to Liverpool fans. His absence will be a significant blow, particularly as speculation about his future continues to swirl. If he does not sign a contract extension, a longer layoff might have meant that he had already played his final game for the club.
This latest injury also means Alexander-Arnold will miss a second consecutive Carabao Cup final, an unfortunate setback for the defender. To make matters worse, Liverpool is also without Conor Bradley, leaving Slot with a selection dilemma at right-back. With Bradley unavailable, Quansah is expected to start in that position against Newcastle. While not an ideal solution, the young defender impressed in the role after coming on against PSG and will now have the chance to prove himself on a bigger stage.
One positive aspect of Liverpool’s schedule is the break following Sunday’s final. The team will not play another match for 17 days, which could allow Conor Bradley sufficient time to recover ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2.
Slot is likely to provide an update on Alexander-Arnold’s condition in his pre-match press conference, though his comments are expected to align with Ryan’s expert analysis.
