Liverpool manager Arne Slott said Trent Alexander-Arnold is ready to face Tottenham in the first leg of the FA Cup semi-final on Wednesday after a poor performance against Manchester United.
Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move to Real Madrid this month and was out of form in Sunday's thrilling 2-2 draw at Anfield.
But Slott says the whole squad is ready to respond against Tottenham and highlighted their excellent season so far.
He said: “I think we were all disappointed (about Sunday's draw with Manchester United) and not just Trent Alexander-Arnold, we were all disappointed.
“First of all about the result. Parts of our game we weren't completely happy with. It wasn't just Trent, there were more things we could have done better.
Next, we have #CarabaoCup Semi-final first leg ✊ pic.twitter.com/ZrwbFI7xcF
– Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 6, 2025
“Trent didn't play his best game, but others didn't play their best.
“If you play 50 or 60 games in one season, not one of them will be your best performance. Maybe we should highlight that these players are playing well even though they play two games a week.
“I think playing again tomorrow will benefit every player (not just Trent Alexander-Arnold). Everyone wants to play. Almost all of them are fit.”
Liverpool have lost just once all season in all competitions under Slott – to Nottingham Forest – and have won 23 of their 28 matches so far.
They won the EFL Cup for a record 10th time last season and go into Wednesday's match at Tottenham as favorites to retain it.
Like Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are out of contract this summer, but Slott says they remain focused on winning.
“If Mohamed Salah misses a penalty kick against Real Madrid, he will be distracted by his contract,” Slott said.
“If Trent doesn't play well, he will be distracted by his 'contract situation.'
“If everyone plays well, no one will be distracted by 'distracting nodes'.
“I don't focus on social media posts or what people say. If you did that as Liverpool coach you wouldn't have a life, because people are always talking about us.”
Team News – Szoboszlai is doubtful
Liverpool received a strong boost with the return of defenders Ibrahima Konate and Connor Bradley, who participated against United on Sunday.
Striker Federico Chiesa was on the bench for that match and is available, but midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai is still unlikely to play due to illness.
