Arne Slot has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is not fit to start for Liverpool against Real Madrid in the Champions League.
The right-back is expected to return to the Reds’ squad at Anfield tonight after suffering a thigh injury. Alexander-Arnold has only missed one game, last Sunday’s 3-2 win at Southampton, with the international break helping his recovery. The vice-captain had returned to training ahead of the Madrid visit, but Slott admitted that Alexander-Arnold could not start from the start – and hopes he will not be called up.
As a result, it means Conor Bradley will continue on the right side of defence – and could mark Kylian Mbappé. Meanwhile, with Alisson Becker still unfit to play as he struggles to recover from a hamstring problem, Caoimhin Kelleher will once again be a substitute in goal. The Ireland international has been in superb form during Alisson’s absence and will have a famous European night in the spotlight.
Also, Andy Robertson was present at the pre-match press conference – which is usually a clear sign that he is a starter. It is no surprise really that Kostas Tsimikas is out with an ankle injury. Joe Gomez is an option to operate at full-back and did so while Robertson and Tsimikas were absent last season. But Robertson is determined to carry on.
The Scotland international has faced Los Blancos six times in his career and has never won – including crushing defeats in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals, he said: “Obviously, since I’ve been here, we’ve played Real Madrid five or six times and obviously we haven’t been victorious yet. But maybe there’s just a few of us who are a completely different team, a new team with a lot of the players probably haven’t faced Real Madrid and Liverpool yet, and it’s the same for them – it’s a new team and new faces.
“When you’re playing these big games and you’re playing against the best players and the best teams, then of course you want to be one, involved in the game and two, you want to get the result. “It’s probably going to be the most watched game of the week and it’s one that the big players want to be a part of. And I think if we can win it will put us in a better position in the Champions League. But also, beating one of your competitors, which is always nice. We’re excited about that prospect. But we also know how good Real Madrid can be and we know they’ll come here full of confidence and belief in their ability to get the result.” I hope we are happier tomorrow night.
