Slot: FA Cup Encounter with Plymouth Argyle 'Too Soon' for Trent's Comeback
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Synopsis
Liverpool's vice-captain Alexander Arnold is unlikely to return for the FA Cup match against Plymouth Argyle, according to coach Arne Slot. The team is cautious about his recovery ahead of the Merseyside derby against Everton next Wednesday. Slot emphasized the importance of resting players and giving opportunities to those who haven’t played much.
Key Takeaways
- Alexander Arnold is not expected to play against Plymouth Argyle.
- His availability for the Merseyside derby remains uncertain.
- Arne Slot stresses the significance of player rotation.
- Slot aims to utilize players with limited game time.
- The FA Cup clash presents a challenging scenario for the team.
Liverpool, Feb 7 (NationPress) Liverpool’s vice-captain Alexander Arnold was substituted during the second half of last weekend’s Premier League victory over AFC Bournemouth and was unavailable for Thursday night’s Carabao Cup triumph against Tottenham Hotspur.
The Emirates FA Cup match against Plymouth Argyle on Sunday is also deemed too early for Alexander-Arnold, who will subsequently be evaluated for the upcoming Merseyside derby against Everton next Wednesday.
“No, I don’t think so yet. That’s going to be too early for him (FA Cup game vs Plymouth). Difficult to predict [about the Merseyside derby]. As I mentioned before, it’s not going to take months or even weeks, but that’s only three days after the Plymouth Argyle match, so let’s wait and see if he is available.
“We also need to consider the long-term impact; we don’t want to take any risks with so many fixtures ahead. However, if he’s fit, then certainly we will utilize him,” stated Arne Slot during a press conference.
As Liverpool continues to compete vigorously across all four competitions, Arne Slot also highlighted that the encounter with Plymouth presents a valuable chance to rest some players and involve those who have had limited playing time.
“It is always a challenging fixture, regardless of the team you face, because it is an away game and it is likely their 'final', as is often the case when Liverpool travels anywhere.
“I believe it is crucial for players who don’t get much game time to have that opportunity, so they are prepared in case we need them due to injuries or suspensions. We will certainly deploy some players who haven’t featured as much,” he concluded.
