Arne Slot Delivers Positive Update on Liverpool Duo Ahead of Carabao Cup Final
Arne Slot has shared an encouraging update on a key Liverpool player as the team prepares for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Following the painful Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties Tuesday night, Liverpool also suffered setbacks with both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Ibrahima Konate forced off the pitch.
Speaking after the match, Slot admitted there was uncertainty over Trent’s availability for the weekend clash against Newcastle, while Konate’s withdrawal was down to fatigue rather than injury concerns.
Latest on Trent and Konate from Slot
Speaking again on Wednesday, Slot offered fresh insight into both defenders’ chances of featuring in the cup final.
The Liverpool boss delivered a positive update regarding Konate, telling liverpoolfc.com: “With Ibou, we believed it was just tiredness or cramping, so we are hopeful and expect him to be fit and ready for Sunday.”
However, Slot was less optimistic about Alexander-Arnold, admitting it’s “too early to say” if the vice-captain will recover in time for the final. Trent’s reaction when he was forced off suggests his chances of featuring at Wembley are slim.
Boost for Konate, but Trent’s Absence a Major Concern
Slot’s latest comments align with initial assessments: Konate is likely to recover fully, while Trent’s situation remains worrying.
With four days left before the final kicks off at 4:30 p.m., Konate should have ample time to return to full fitness. But Trent’s probable absence is a blow, especially with Conor Bradley also unavailable. This leaves Jarell Quansah as a likely makeshift right-back, given the limited options in that role.
It’s far from an ideal setup for a cup final, but Liverpool fans will remember last year’s Carabao Cup triumph against Chelsea, where a youthful and injury-hit squad managed to prevail in extra time.
At the very least, Slot looks set to have his first-choice centre-back pairing of Konate and Virgil van Dijk ready to face Newcastle — a crucial factor if Liverpool are to keep Alexander Isak quiet on Sunday.
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