Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alisson Becker and Conor Bradley injury updates from Arne Slot | Football

Liverpool host Everton in the Merseyside derby on Wednesday night, with Arne Slot set to make some late calls on stars struggling with injury.

The Reds look to continue their march towards the Premier League title against their local rivals, currently sitting 12 points clear at the top of the table with nine games to play.

There have been disappointments in recent weeks after suffering defeats in the Champions League last 16 and Carabao Cup final, but Slot will not want to relent on their superb Premier League campaign.

However, he will take on Everton without Trent Alexander-Arnold as the full-back is out with an ankle injury.

‘The situation is unfortunately that he’s injured,’ Slot said of the 26-year-old. ‘Otherwise people will have probably spoken about him that he had one or two brilliant performances for the England team.

‘But he’s injured and for him that means he’s fully focussed on his recovery and for us it means that we’re trying to help him to be back as soon as he can.’

There remain doubts over Alisson Becker and Conor Bradley despite both being in training after injury, while Ryan Gravenberch is expected to be involved against the Toffees.

Alisson suffered a clash of heads while playing for Brazil on March 21, but has seemingly recovered after the nasty incident.

‘Ryan is ok although we have to train one more time, but he’s ok,’ said Slot.

‘Ali trained with us as well, but the last check has to be made. I think that’s this afternoon after the session, if he’s available to play.

‘And Conor is training with us again but we have to make a decision on whether he’s playing and if playing means coming in or starting, that is something that I keep for myself.

‘He’s only had a few sessions after being out quite long so we have to make a smart decision with that as well.’

Alexander-Arnold’s injury comes amid the expectation that he is to leave Liverpool at the end of the season and sign for Real Madrid on a free transfer.

There still remains uncertainty over the futures of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah as well, who are also into the final weeks of their contracts at Anfield.

However, Slot insists that the intense speculation over whether the club legends will be staying or leaving is not taking focus away from matters on the pitch.

‘For eight months it went a bit up and down with all kind of talks about him, Virgil and Mo,’ said Slot. ‘But we’ve never been focussed on those talks, we’ve always been focused on what we have to do.

‘That for Virgil and Mo is trying to win the Merseyside derby and for Trent it is making sure he is fit as soon as he can.’

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