Why Trent Alexander-Arnold misses Liverpool vs Crystal Palace clash

Trent Alexander-Arnold has missed Liverpool’s Premier League clash against Crystal Palace on Saturday due to illness.

The full-back, who has been ever present in the Reds starting XI this season, has been replaced by the versatile veteran James Milner.

Elsewhere, Jurgen Klopp has handed a debut to new signing Ibrahima Konate, who comes in for Joe Gomez, while there are also starts for Kostas Tsimikas, Virgil Van Dijk, Thiago and Sadio Mane, who all sat out Wednesday’s Champions League win over AC Milan.

Speaking before the match at Anfield, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the omission of Alexander-Arnold is not covid-19 related.

‘Trent was not planned to be honest. He woke up this morning and felt unwell – we just had to send him home. He is all fine, it is not COVID,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘We need to make changes but we need rhythm as well. That is why we go again – we need all the energy we can get for this game today because Crystal Palace are a very strong team.’

Alexander-Arnold was forced to withdraw from England’s Euro 2020 squad after suffering a thigh injury during a pre-tournament friendly against Austria.

After an earlier than expected return to training, the 22-year-old has reproduced the form he showed during Liverpool’s Premier League title winning season in 2019-20, helping the club to an unbeaten start to the new term.

With Milner not offering as much as Alexander-Arnold in attack, Klopp will be hoping the England international can recover before the Reds’ next Premier League game away to Brentford next Saturday.

Liverpool will be looking to continue their unbeaten start against the Eagles on Saturday, who are now managed by former Arsenal star Patrick Viera.

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