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Trent Alexander-Arnold injured vs Aston Villa as Liverpool handed fresh headache
Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was substituted in the first half against Aston Villa after suffering an injury.
The right-back appeared to point toward his hamstring when being attended to by Liverpool's medical staff, and was instantly brought off as a precaution. Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Conor Bradley, who will see out the remainder of the game.
Liverpool had just taken the lead against Villa, as Darwin Nunez lifted the ball over Emi Martinez following a blistering counter attack. Losing Alexander-Arnold is a major blow for head coach Arne Slot, but given the timing of the injury things could be worse for Liverpool.
Following the Premier League action this weekend, domestic games will be paused as we enter the final international break of 2024. Alexander-Arnold's injury could mean he is forced to withdraw from England duty, but that time may now be spent recovering and preparing for a busy festive schedule.
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It's been a bittersweet day for Liverpool, who has lost a major asset in Alexander-Arnold but only after being handed a huge boost in the Premier League title race. Manchester City lost 2-1 to Brighton to hand Liverpool the chance of moving five points clear at the top of the table.
It's the second straight defeat in the Premier League for City, after losing 2-1 to Bournemouth on Nov. 2. City has now lost four consecutive games in all competitions, the first time Pep Guardiola has been dealt four straight losses in his managerial career.
The incentive was there for Liverpool to extend its lead against Villa, and up the stakes ahead of a huge clash on Dec. 1. Liverpool host City in the first grudge match of the season, and could open up a dominating lead if things remain the same after the international break.
It's been the dream start for Liverpool under Slot, who replaced former head coach Jurgen Klopp in the summer. However, the new coach has some pressing issues to resolve moving forward, with Alexander-Arnold very much as the center of the crisis.
Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract at the end of the season, and there appears to be no progress when it comes to extensions. A report from the Daily Mail published on Saturday claimed that Liverpool is reluctant to make Alexander-Arnold the highest earner and meet his demands.
The defender continues to be heavily linked with a summer move to Real Madrid, and being granted his dream contract wouldn't be a concern over in the Spanish capital, especially as he'd be available on a free transfer. The next few months are crucial when it comes to Liverpool's future plans, as Slot could be faced with losing three key starters if negotiations aren't completed in time.
