Alexander-Arnold Boost As Klopp Eyes Further Progress

Jurgen Klopp has given a positive bulletin on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s injury as he looks to re-establish Liverpool’s seven-point lead.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s knee and ankle injuries are not as bad as first feared and he could even play against Crystal Palace on Saturday (Liverpool 1/5, Draw 13/2, Palace 16/1 – Match Betting).

Alexander-Arnold went down with a twisted ankle in the warm-up before last weekend’s win at Brighton but still managed to complete the 90 minutes.

It then emerged he had suffered a knee injury in the game and reports estimated he would be out for between a fortnight and a month, in what was seen as an untimely defensive injury blow with Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez already sidelined.

However, Reds boss Klopp has suggested the right-back has made a swift recovery and may even be in contention for the visit of the Eagles this weekend, while midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum is also hoping to be fit following a slight knock.

“Gini and Trent we will decide day by day,” Klopp said in his press conference. “The exceptional part is that they both played 90mins (at Brighton). Trent, what a boy! It was just what happened before the game, playing didn’t make it worse. It will be close for tomorrow.”

Liverpool are still definitely without Lovren and Gomez for the game, with James Milner on stand-by to fill in at right-back, while fellow midfielder Fabinho may again be asked to slot in alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.

Adam Lallana also remains unavailable, although he has at least returned to training, as Klopp’s side aim to move back seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League with a win.

Following the game, Klopp plans to take his players away to Dubai for some warm-weather training as they do not play until January 30, against Leicester, and the German hopes the trip will be fruitful with a crucial period of games coming up.

“We will have recovery and rest,” he added. “We will try to bring everyone in the best shape for the rest of the season. If you are out of the cup, you can suffer or you can use the time.”

Liverpool made their best-ever start to a top-flight season this term and look perfectly placed to mount a title challenge (4/5 – Premier League Outright) but Klopp says there remains much work to do between now and May.

He said: “The progress we’ve made so far I’m not really interested in. I’m more interested in the progress we still have to make.”

Odds subject to change.