HUGE INJURY BLOW : Liverpool defender Trent . Alexander-Arnold has been Ruled out for three-week both Carabao Cup semi-final legs, Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round tie and a league trip to Bournemouth,

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been a key figure for the club this year; a three-week injury could rule him out of both Carabao Cup semi-final legs, Liverpool’s FA Cup fourth round tie and a league trip to Bournemouth, live on

Trent Alexander-Arnold has an effort on goal against Arsenal

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Ljinders confirms that Trent Alexander-Arnold will be missing for around ‘three weeks’ after suffering a knee injury

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out for “a few weeks” with a minor knee ligament tear.

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed the news

Alexander-Arnold, who has been pivotal for Liverpool this season in a hybrid right-back and midfield role, is set to be sidelined for around three weeks, which rules him out of both semi-final legs against Fulham, a league trip to Bournemouth, and the club’s FA Cup fourth round tie against Norwich or Bristol Rovers.

The defender may also be a doubt for Liverpool’s home clash against Chelsea on January 31, as well as a crucial title race trip to Arsenal on February 4.

“Trent hyperextended his knee during the last game [against Arsenal in the FA Cup third round],” says Ljinders.

With Alexander-Arnold out, it could see a run in the Liverpool team for Northern Ireland defender Conor Bradley. The 20-year-old played the final few minutes of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal in the right-back role.

“We have many weapons so there is no-one irreplaceable here,” added Liverpool assitant Lijnders. “Mo [Salah] goes away, [Diogo] Jota steps up.

How many Liverpool players are currently unavailable?

Joel Matip [ACL]: Due back next season

Stefan Bajcetic [Stress fracture]: February

Andrew Robertson [Shoulder]: February

Dominik Szoboszlai [Hamstring]: Jan 21

Thiago Alcantara [Hip]: February

Konstantinos Tsimikas [Collar bone}: February

Wataru Endo [Asia Cup duty]: February

Mohamed Salah [Afcon duty]: February

Liverpool’s next sixgames – can Trent get back in time for Arsenal?

January 10: Fulham (H) – Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, live on  kick-off 8pm

LiverpoolFulham

Liverpool

Fulham

Wednesday 10th January 7:00pm

Kick off 8:00pm

January 21: Bournemouth (A) – Premier League, live on  4.30pm

January 24: Fulham (A) – Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, live on   8pm

January 27: Norwich or Bristol Rovers (H) – FA Cup fourth round, date/time TBC

January 31: Chelsea (H) – Premier League, kick-off 8.15pm

February 4: Arsenal (A) – Premier League, live on Sky Sports, kick-off 4.30pm

Van Dijk back for Liverpool, left-backs to return by February

Jamie Carragher analyses Virgil van Dijk’s impact on Liverpool’s Premier League title hopes

There was more positive news for Liverpool’s defence in terms of injury news, with Virgil van Dijk due to return after he missed Sunday’s FA Cup win over Arsenal due to illness.

Meanwhile, Dominik Szoboszlai is back in light training after picking up a hamstring problem, but will not be fit for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup last four clash with Fulham.

Left-backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas, who picked up shoulder and collarbone injuries respectively in recent weeks, are due back by the end of January.

“Virgil is back,” said Lijnders. “He did some runs yesterday on the pitch, looked good again. So he will be back in the squad [on Wednesday], he recovered well. So it really helped him not to travel to London.