Trent Alexander-Arnold injury: Liverpool star sidelined for four weeks with knee ligament issue

The England international will be out for around a month and will be joined on the sidelines by Georginio Wijnaldum

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been ruled out for up to four weeks in another defensive injury setback to Liverpool's Premier League title challenge.

Alexander-Arnold suffered a knee problem in the warm-up before Saturday's 1-0 win at Brighton and Hove Albion but played 90 minutes.

Scans later revealed minor ligament damage. The 20-year-old does not require surgery and may return sooner than expected, though Jürgen Klopp is unlikely to rush Alexander-Arnold back.

Klopp has been without defenders Joe Gomez and Joel Matip of late, while Dejan Lovren missed the trip to Brighton with a hamstring problem and Alexander-Arnold's absence will only test his resources further.

Matip has returned to full training but Gomez, who would be expected to move from centre-half to right-back to fill in for Alexander-Arnold, remains sidelined.

Klopp is also without Nathaniel Clyne, another natural right-back, having allowed him to join Bournemouth on loan in search of regular playing time earlier this month.

Holding midfielder Fabinho, who deputised for Lovren at centre-back on Saturday, could move to the right for Crystal Palace's visit to Anfield on Saturday. The versatile James Milner is also an option.

Georginio Wijnaldum is also a doubt for Palace's visit with knee problem, though is not expected to spend a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to return before the Champions League last-16 first leg against Bayern Munich on 19 February.