There was very little for Liverpool fans to grab onto by way of positives on Thursday evening.
Having just seen their team inexplicably outfought and beaten 3-0 by Atalanta at Anfield, they had every reason to be downbeat.
In many ways, the only real sources of joy could be found by looking ahead to what comes next. For the first time in a long, long while, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota were in a Liverpool squad. That bodes well for the run-in.
Jota, who hadn’t played since February 17th, actually managed to get on the pitch. The 27-year-old made a good impact off the bench in the final 15 minutes or so and that hopefully means he’ll be able to go a little longer this Sunday against Crystal Palace.
For Alexander-Arnold, there was no such return. The right-back has bene missing since February 10th and has only played six times for Liverpool this year. And now, looking ahead to this weekend’s game, Jurgen Klopp has offered an insight into Trent’s recovery.
Will Trent Alexander-Arnold be ready to play
It really is testament to Liverpool that they’ve managed for so long without some real key players this season.
Along with Alexander-Arnold and Jota, Alisson Becker is also set for an imminent return. The Brazilian has been out for longer than both of his teammates, having not featured since February 4th.
And while there is still no news on whether Alisson will be ready to go for the Palace game, Klopp has also suggested that the medical team are advising caution over Trent, too.
“There was no chance to play Trent [against Atalanta],” the manager confirmed. “He was on the bench because we were allowed to put 23 players into the squad.
“He had two sessions. Diogo didn’t have more really but the information from the medical department is [he was a] step ahead, so he can play a little bit longer.
“There is no pressure [to protect players returning from injury], it is just the situation.”
Who should play instead of Trent Alexander-Arnold
By the sounds of things, Alexander-Arnold will not be ready to play on Sunday. At least, it doesn’t look like he’ll be able to start. As a result, Klopp will have to continue with one of his understudies.
Throughout most of Trent’s time on the side-lines, that has been Conor Bradley. But the young Northern Irishman has looked a little run into the ground recently.
There’s perhaps a good reason why Klopp didn’t choose to throw the 20-year-old on last night, despite Joe Gomez playing awfully at right-back.
Having had a rest, we’d imagine Bradley comes back in for Palace, though. We’ll still hold out hope that Trent will be ready in time, but if not, Conor will go maybe one more time.