Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will not recover from a hamstring injury in time for Sunday's FA Cup showdown with Plymouth Argyle, Arne Slot has confirmed.
The England international sustained the injury in last weekend's 2-0 Premier League win over Bournemouth and was subsequently ruled out of the 4-0 EFL Cup semi-final second leg victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Thursday night.
Prior to the thrashing of Spurs - which sent the Reds through to next month's final with Newcastle United courtesy of a 4-1 aggregate win - Slot did not rule out Alexander-Arnold's chances of being back for the trip to Home Park.
However, speaking in Friday's pre-game press conference, the Dutchman conceded that Alexander-Arnold needs more time to recover, and there are no guarantees that he will be available to face Everton in next week's Merseyside derby either.
Asked if Alexander-Arnold could make a swift return for the FA Cup fourth round, Slot replied: "No, I don't think so yet. That's going to be too early for him.
"Difficult to say" if Alexander-Arnold will be fit for Merseyside derby
© Imago
"Difficult to say [about the derby]. Like I said before, it's not going to take months and not even weeks but that's only three days after the Plymouth Argyle game, so let's wait and see if he is available.
"We also have to look at the long term, of course we don't want to take any risks with so many games afterwards coming up. But if he's fit then of course we will use him."
Alexander-Arnold's recognised deputy Conor Bradley filled in for his senior on Thursday evening and registered an assist for Dominik Szoboszlai's effort on the night, but Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez are alternative options on the right-hand side of defence.
Alexander-Arnold was expected to be Liverpool's only absentee for the visit to Home Park, but Slot also revealed that fringe midfielder Tyler Morton will spend a while on the sidelines with a shoulder problem.
The 22-year-old - who was reportedly the subject of interest from Middlesbrough on transfer deadline day - made one of his three starts so far this season in the 4-0 third-round win over Accrington Stanley, but he will not be seen for at least a month.
"Tyler Morton, he's out with an injury for a while. It's a shoulder injury," Slot added, before replying: "For weeks or maybe even longer" when asked how long the youngster would be out for.
What changes could Slot make for Plymouth clash?
© Imago
While Plymouth will provide a sterner test than Accrington Stanley - evidenced by their shock win over Brentford - Slot will undoubtedly ring the changes before Wednesday's rescheduled Merseyside derby with Everton at Goodison Park.
Either Gomez or Quansah could very well operate at right-back if Bradley is spared for the Merseyside derby, and Kostas Tsimikas will expect to displace Andy Robertson on the other side of the backline.
Further forward, Harvey Elliott and Wataru Endo will expect to be given opportunities to impress, as should Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota, the former of whom was on target against Accrington Stanley.
Fellow third-round scorer Jayden Danns moved to Sunderland on loan on deadline day, but 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell stayed at Anfield and is another option for Slot.
Ben Knapton
