Liverpool are celebrating on Sunday evening after beating Manchester City at Anfield.
An early goal for Cody Gakpo and a second-half penalty from Mohamed Salah did the damage as the Reds moved further clear in the Premier League title race.
The gap between Liverpool and Man City stands at 11 points, with Arsenal now the Reds’ closest challengers, nine points behind.
Sunday’s win crowned a wonderful week for Liverpool, which also included a 2-0 win over Real Madrid at Anfield on Wednesday.
The only disappointed during the last few days has been the injuries which have been picked up. Problems for Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley have depleted the Liverpool squad.
So, after another handsome win, Reds fans will have been anxious for an explanation from Arne Slot as to why Trent Alexander-Arnold was taken off after 73 minutes against City.
Arne Slot explains Trent Alexander-Arnold sub
Alexander-Arnold missed Liverpool’s last two games after coming off with a problem against Aston Villa in November.
It was a good job the 26-year-old was ready to return on Sunday, with injuries elsewhere in the defence stretching Slot’s options.
Alexander-Arnold was excellent against City as well, slotting seamlessly in and spraying some delicious balls around the pitch.
Interestingly – and perhaps concerningly – Slot chose to bring Jarell Quansah on at right-back when Trent went off with just over 15 minutes to go.
READ MORE: What Trent Alexander-Arnold did to Liverpool fans just before Cody Gakpo’s goal vs Man City
Although this did highlight the paucity of options the Liverpool head coach currently has, he confirmed to Sky Sports after the game that the substitution was simply precautionary and there is no issue for Alexander-Arnold.
“With the injuries we have at the back we had to take care of Trent,” said Slot. “He maybe could be played 90 but it’s a risk with all these games coming up, so we had to take him off after 70.”
Liverpool down to bare bones in defence
Although the Liverpool win was obviously an enormous one on Sunday, attention will straight away turn to Wednesday for the Reds.
Midweek brings a tough looking trip to face Newcastle this time and Slot has a headache selecting his defence.
Alexander-Arnold should be fine to go again, but Liverpool have to be wary of pushing him too far after his own return from a bout of bad fitness.
Beyond the England international, Liverpool are likely to have to ask Gomez and Robertson to go again, while hoping that they can then turn up for a Saturday lunch time battle with Everton at Goodison Park.
Good news with Trent for now, but we could really do with some players coming back before long.
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