In a fresh injury setback for Liverpool, right-back Conor Bradley was forced off the pitch after just 48 minutes of the side’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace.
With his side trailling the Eagles by a goal to nil, the 20-year-old limped off the pitch three minutes after the restart with an ankle injury.
The Northern Irishman’s departure forced Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp to make a swift substitution, bringing on Trent Alexander-Arnold in his place.
This marked vice-captain’s return to action after recovering from an injury of his own.
SOONER THAN EXPECTED
Clearly Klopp would have preferred to ease Alexander-Arnold back into first-team action following his knee injury, but with the Reds potentially losing ground in the title race, the German opted to bring on the 25-year-old instead of Joe Gomez.
Alexander-Arnold immediately slotted into central midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister after Wataru Endo was withdrawn at half time.
The Reds will be hoping that his passing range and creativity can turn the game on its head after Palace took the lead in the 14th minute after Eberechi Eze swept home Tyrick Mitchell’s low cross.
If the scores remain the same, this would leave Liverpool third in the Premier League table, two points behind leaders Manchester City and level with Arsenal (who face Aston Villa at the Emirates later on Sunday evening).
