Real Madrid: Trent Alexander-Arnold faces potential eight-week absence as hamstring injury puts Anfield return in doubt
The England defender could miss out on facing his former club.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines and could miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Liverpool after the club confirmed the England international had suffered a hamstring injury.
Alexander-Arnold, who controversially decided to leave Liverpool to join Madrid at the end of last season, was withdrawn in the fifth minute of Los Blancos’ 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday.
Confirming the nature of the injury, a statement from Madrid read: “Following tests carried out today by the Real Madrid Medical Services on our player, Trent Alexander-Arnold, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury to the biceps femoris in his left leg. Further updates will follow.”
While Madrid have not announced a timeline for Alexander-Arnold’s return, Marca reports he is set to miss at least six weeks and could be out for two months, putting a return to Anfield in the Champions League in doubt.
Madrid are unbeaten so far this season, but Alexander-Arnold has started only three games and has attracted scrutiny for his performances for the LaLiga leaders to this point.
Now Alexander-Arnold faces the prospect of missing some of the biggest games of the season for Xabi Alonso’s men.
Alexander-Arnold set for long lay-off
An eight-week timeline for Alexander-Arnold’s recovery would see him miss eight league games and three Champions League encounters.
He will be unavailable for the Madrid derby with Atletico Madrid on September 27, while Alexander-Arnold is also unlikely to be ready for the first Clasico of the season against Barcelona on October 26.
In the Champions League, Alexander-Arnold will miss out on facing Kairat and Juventus. If he does indeed need eight weeks to recover, Alexander-Arnold will be a spectator for the clash between Madrid and Liverpool at Anfield on November 4.
Alexander-Arnold should be fit in time for England’s final World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania in November. Madrid’s away game at Elche on November 23 would mark his return fixture for his club should he need eight weeks to get back to full fitness.