The plan Jurgen Klopp has to make Liverpool STRONGER following Trent Alexander-Arnold absence

The young defender could be out for a month with a knee injury

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Mark Jones

David Maddock

13:37, 16 JAN 2019
Updated13:40, 16 JAN 2019

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Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis appears to have got worse after they lost their first choice right-back.

Trent Alexander-Arnold looked as though he was going to have to sit out of weekend’s win over Brighton when he trod on a ball in the warm-up at the Amex Stadium.

But the 20-year-old started the game and ended up playing the full 90 minutes as the Reds won 1-0.

However, there was some damage done and yesterday it was announced that Alexander-Arnold could be forced to miss up to a month with a knee problem.

But with Liverpool being already out of the FA Cup and facing a blank weekend at the end of January, that absence means the England fullback may only miss three or four games for the Reds.

Indeed, he could return in time for February 9’s home game with Bournemouth , after which comes a 10 day break ahead of the Champions League last-16 tie against Bayern Munich.

There were suggestions that Liverpool could look to recall Nathaniel Clyne from his loan at Bournemouth following the injury, but they are not permitted to do so.

Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring for Liverpool in the 3-0 win at Watford

But as revealed by Mirror Online, Jurgen Klopp will not be panicking over the injury because it gives him a better chance to get James Milner in the team.

Klopp not panicking over Trent AA injury - likely to miss only 3 games. Manager let Clyne go because he wants @JamesMilner influence in his dressing room and in team if possible...and back up full back (on both sides) offers opportunity. Gomez back next week too #LFC
— David Maddock (@MaddockMirror) January 15, 2019

Milner - a 72nd minute substitute at Brighton - started at right-back in the recent wins at Bournemouth and Wolves, and is now likely to do so again over the next few weeks.

And with Klopp desperate to get the experience of Milner - the only regular Reds player to have won the Premier League title - on the pitch during such a high-stakes time for his team, he has basically had a decision made for him with the injury.