Arsenal fans can breathe a slight sigh of relief as Liverpool’s right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is set to miss the upcoming Premier League clash between Arsenal and Liverpool.

Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a knee injury in the recent FA Cup match at the Emirates Stadium, a significant blow to Liverpool’s squad already grappling with multiple injuries.

In the 2-0 win over a toothless Arsenal, Alexander-Arnold hyper-extended his right knee, leading to a minor tear in the lateral ligament.

This injury rules him out for several weeks, including the crucial return fixture against Arsenal on 4th February.

With Liverpool’s assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirming, “Trent will need time to recover… He will be out for a few weeks,” Arsenal might find an opportunity to exploit Liverpool’s weakened defence in their next meeting.

Liverpool’s injury woes have escalated with a total of 10 players, including key figures like Mo Salah and Wataru Endo, either injured or away on international duty. This situation leaves Liverpool’s squad considerably depleted, notably in defence and creative areas where Alexander-Arnold’s absence will be keenly felt.

His contribution to the team has been substantial, as Lijnders noted, “This guy was decisive in all the games and was the one who constantly created for us from deep.”

Liverpool’s adaptability is now under severe test, as they have had to find replacements for several key players, including Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. Joe Gomez has been filling in various defensive roles, but Alexander-Arnold’s shoes are particularly hard to fill.

Liverpool is likely to turn to Conor Bradley or Owen Beck to deputise for Alexander-Arnold. Both youngsters are competent defensively, but Liverpool will undoubtedly miss Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and attacking prowess.

Klopp and his team face a tough challenge, especially with a recent narrow victory over Fulham where Alexander-Arnold played a crucial role.

With a series of challenging matches ahead, Liverpool’s squad depth and tactical flexibility are under the microscope. As Lijnders stated, “We have many weapons so there is no one irreplaceable here.”

However, for Arsenal, the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold in Liverpool’s lineup presents a strategic advantage that they will be keen to exploit.