Liverpool will be without four key players as they prepare for the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle United at Wembley…

Liverpool has confirmed that four players will not participate, coinciding with an update regarding Arne Slot, while a Newcastle target has been selected for the cup final.

Following an update concerning Arne Slot, Liverpool has excluded four players from participation, and a Newcastle target has been named for the cup final.

The team is facing a potential defensive crisis ahead of Sunday’s match following their exit from the Champions League, where they lost to Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout after a demanding 120 minutes of play.

Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered what seemed to be a serious ankle injury and had to leave the field, compounding Liverpool’s difficulties.

Additionally, Ibrahima Konate also limped off during extra time against PSG.

Coach Arne Slot indicated that he does not expect Alexander-Arnold to recover in time for the final, marking his second consecutive absence from the League Cup final due to injury. However, he expressed less concern regarding Konate’s condition.

“I have to check, but for me, Ibou seemed more fatigued than injured,” Slot stated in the post-match press conference.

“As for Trent, he had to come off, which is never a positive sign. From what I’ve heard about how he got injured, it didn’t look promising. I would be surprised if he is available for Sunday,” he reported to the Liverpool Echo.

On Wednesday, Slot confirmed that he anticipated Konate would be fit to play, but it was too soon to provide an update on Alexander-Arnold’s status.

“Not on Trent because it is too early to say,” he mentioned on the club’s website. “With Ibou, we believe it was just fatigue or cramps, so we are hopeful he will be ready for Sunday.”

Slot is scheduled to provide an injury update during his pre-match press conference on Friday morning at 10 am, taking place at the AXA Training Centre. While Konate may be fit to play, the potential absence of Alexander-Arnold poses a significant challenge for Liverpool at right-back, leaving Slot without four senior players for the match at Wembley.

Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley are already sidelined due to hamstring injuries, with Gomez being a long-term absence following surgery. Conor Bradley, a Northern Ireland international, has been excluded from his national team’s latest squad, prompting disappointment from his manager, Michael O’Neill.

“The absence of any young players is a significant setback, and Conor has been exceptional for us,” O’Neill stated. “He performed well in the Nations League and enjoys representing his country.

“I observe that young players like him develop their personalities within the squad, but they can only do so if they are available to participate.

Conor is understandably upset about missing out and not being part of the squad with the chance to play.

“This season, he has had to be patient at Liverpool regarding playing time, so he viewed this as a chance to play consecutive matches, but unfortunately, he sustained an injury.”

With Bradley unavailable for the international break, it remains uncertain whether he will recover in time for the Merseyside derby against Everton on April 2.

Jarell Quansah is anticipated to step in at right-back for Liverpool’s encounter at Wembley, given the absence of their three regular options.

This decision will certainly catch the attention of Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe.

Quansah, primarily a centre-back, was a target for Newcastle during the summer as they sought to strengthen their defense.

Amid the transfer discussions surrounding Anthony Gordon and PSR, there were suggestions that a swap deal involving both players, along with additional cash for Newcastle, could have facilitated the transfer.

Both players ultimately remained with their current clubs and each signed new contracts.

Nevertheless, Newcastle may consider making a renewed offer for Quansah during the summer as they persist in their search for a new centre-back.

In other developments, Tyler Morton is still out of action due to a long-term shoulder injury that necessitated surgery.

On a positive note, Cody Gakpo has returned to the squad after recovering from an injury he sustained in the match against PSG.