Liverpoolvs.Newcastle

Both defenders were casualties of Tuesday's Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, where the Reds were eliminated on penalties following a 1-1 aggregate draw in their last-16 contest.

Alexander-Arnold awkwardly jarred his leg after attempting to block a clearance from Vitinha on the touchline, and the right-back reacted by slamming the turf in agony before receiving treatment.

Jarell Quansah replaced his fellow academy graduate as Alexander-Arnold gingerly limped back to the dugouts, while Konate also had to be withdrawn in extra time with an unspecified concern.

Alexander-Arnold and Konate's withdrawals naturally sparked serious concern about their availability for Sunday's trip to Wembley, where the Reds seek to make it back-to-back EFL Cup triumphs while also winning the tournament for the third time in four seasons.

Slot admits Alexander-Arnold doubt for EFL Cup final

Speaking to the official Liverpool website on Wednesday afternoon, Slot admitted that he could not guarantee Alexander-Arnold's availability for the final as the right-back prepares to undergo scans.

"Not on Trent because it is too early to say," the Dutchman said, although he was able to offer a more reassuring update on Konate, who was only suffering from cramp and is expected to make the cut for the final.

"With Ibou, we expected only it to be that he was tired or he had some cramps so we are hoping and expecting that he will be ready to play Sunday again," Slot added.

Should Alexander-Arnold not be fit to face the Magpies, Liverpool would be without three right-back options, as Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are currently sidelined with hamstring injuries.

Young midfielder Tyler Morton is also nursing a shoulder problem, and there is no timeframe on his return to action either, although the England Under-21 international would not have started the final anyway.

What could Liverpool's defence look like against Newcastle?

Owing to a lack of available right-back options, Quansah should be looking ahead to a likely start in the EFL Cup showpiece at right-back, having put in a good shift after replacing Alexander-Arnold against PSG.

The 22-year-old came ever so close to sending Liverpool through, seeing his second-half header hit the post, while he also put in two interceptions and succeeded with both of his long pass attempts.

The only other viable alternative for Slot would be James McConnell, who started at right-back in the FA Cup loss to Plymouth Argyle, but the 20-year-old suffered an apparent injury while playing for the Under-21s against West Ham United on Sunday.

If Konate is not given the green light to start, meanwhile, Wataru Endo is likely to slot in at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk; the Japan international was previously deployed in defence against Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur earlier in the competition.

Newcastle also have their own selection concerns for the final, as Sven Botman, Lewis Hall and Jamaal Lascelles are all out injured, while key forward Anthony Gordon is suspended.

Written by

Ben Knapton