Trent Alexander-Arnold Ruled Out of Carabao Cup Final After Injury Setback
Liverpool’s painful Champions League elimination at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain was compounded by an injury to vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold. The 26-year-old was forced off in the 73rd minute after rolling his ankle, with Jarell Quansah coming on as his replacement.
Following the match, manager Arne Slot admitted he would be “surprised” if Alexander-Arnold recovered in time for Sunday’s Carabao Cup final against Newcastle—a possibility that has now been ruled out entirely.
How Long Will Alexander-Arnold Be Sidelined?
Physiotherapist Shane Ryan analyzed the injury and suggested that, in a best-case scenario, Alexander-Arnold could return by late April. Speaking via motherwell.physio on TikTok, Ryan explained:
“The way his foot caught on the ground looked nasty. This type of injury is common in high ankle sprains, which involve tearing the ligaments higher up in the ankle—specifically, the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament (AITFL).
Unlike regular ankle sprains, these take longer to heal. Typically, recovery takes six to eight weeks, but it can be longer depending on any additional damage. Hopefully, it’s no worse than that, as more severe cases can lead to fractures and long-term instability.”
Will Alexander-Arnold Return Before the Season Ends?
If Ryan’s prognosis is accurate, Alexander-Arnold should be back before the end of the season—a relief for Liverpool, especially amid speculation about his long-term future.
However, his injury rules him out of a second consecutive Carabao Cup final. With Conor Bradley also sidelined, Quansah is likely to start at right-back against Newcastle. Though not an ideal solution, the young defender performed well in that role after coming on against PSG.
One silver lining is Liverpool’s schedule—following Sunday’s final, the team won’t play again for 17 days. This break could allow Bradley enough time to recover for the Merseyside derby on April 2.
Arne Slot is expected to address Alexander-Arnold’s injury in his pre-final press conference, but his update will likely align with Ryan’s expert assessment.
