Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss England’s upcoming games against Iceland, Belgium and the Republic of Ireland through injury, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has revealed.
The defender limped off with what appeared to be a calf injury for just over an hour in the Reds’ 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday.
Speaking after the game, Klopp confirmed that the knock will rule him out of the Three Lions’ upcoming fixtures.
“Trent will be out for England, that’s clear,” the German said (via the club’s website).
“What he has, we don’t know, but he can’t play for England. He won’t be the last and he won’t be the only one who is Gareth. [Southgate] Will miss this international break. He will have a scan tomorrow and then we will see.”
The news is a blow to the Three Lions, with Chelsea’s Reece James, City’s Kyle Walker or Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Tripper now in line to start at right-back. Alexander-Arnold’s absence will also frustrate Klopp who is already dealing with a number of injuries.
Alexander-Arnold almost scored against City/Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.
Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Virgil van Dijk are currently out and several youngsters have been called into action of late.
Alexander-Arnold was playing well against City before his injury, stung the palms of Ederson with a powerful shot in the first half.
Speaking after the match, Pep Guardiola claimed that the injury strengthened the case for allowing Premier League teams to make five substitutions, as is allowed in many other top European leagues.
One point a piece, but for whom was it a better outcome? ?#MCILIV
— 90 Minutes (@90min_Football) November 8, 2020
“[Klopp and I] Talk about fighting again for the 5 subs,” Guardiola said.
“Trent Arnold, the England international, is injured. He has 5 subscribers around the world, but here we believe we are more special people. It’s a disaster.”