Trent Alexander-Arnold was initially expected to be out for six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this month, but the Real Madrid star now seems set to return sooner
Trent Alexander-Arnold is due to have fully recovered from a hamstring injury after the upcoming international break. Initially, there were fears that the player would be out for six weeks due to the injury he sustained earlier this month.
There were concerns that Real Madrid might be without their summer signing for eight weeks, which would have meant missing a first return to Anfield with the Spanish club. However, it now appears that Alexander-Arnold will return within a month of the injury.
The most optimistic timeline had him returning in that timeframe following their first Champions League match against Marseille, and it is now reportedly the expectation. That means the right-back could play at Anfield after all.
Madrid-based sports newspaper Marca reports that the expectation is for Alexander-Arnold to be fully fit after the international break. In the meantime, however, the publication states that head coach Xabi Alonso has promoted David Jimenez to the first team.
Jimenez was on the bench for La Liga matches against Espanyol and Levante, but remained an unused substitute. The 21-year-old primarily plays for Castilla, the club's reserve team, as he did last weekend, instead of participating in the Madrid derby against Atletico.
Alonso, however, is said to have complete faith in Jimenez should the need arise to put him on the field. Marca suggests the youngster has won over his manager and labels him as "the chosen one to secure further a position that has been left uncovered".
Federico Valverde and Raul Asencio have featured there so far this campaign, with Dani Carvajal sidelined once more, having only just returned from a serious knee injury sustained over the summer.
This time around, it's his calf that's the issue, reportedly keeping him out for five weeks. Therefore, should neither Alexander-Arnold nor the Spaniard be fit in time, Jimenez could find himself playing at Anfield.
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