Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago miss Liverpool training ahead of LASK Linz clash

Neither Trent Alexander-Arnold nor Thiago Alcantara took part in Liverpool training on Wednesday morning ahead of their Europa League opener with Austrian side LASK Linz.

The Reds begin their bid for second-tier continental glory at the Raiffeisen Arena on Thursday night before also meeting Ligue 1 side Toulouse and Belgian outfit Union SG later on in Group E.

Jurgen Klopp is expected to have most of his troops available for the trip amid the expectation of several alterations, but Alexander-Arnold and Thiago are still struggling with their respective injuries.

Alexander-Arnold picked up a hamstring injury during the Reds' 3-0 win over Aston Villa before the international break, and he was unavailable for their recent 3-1 triumph over Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Meanwhile, Thiago - whose Liverpool career has been repeatedly hampered by physical problems - is yet to fully recover from a hip injury, which has kept him on the sidelines since April.

© Reuters

Alcantara's rehabilitation was initially on track, but the Spaniard's return date had to be reviewed after he suffered a setback, and both he and Alexander-Arnold were absent from team training earlier today.

Prior to his side's win over Wolves, Klopp revealed that Thiago was only taking part in running exercises, while Alexander-Arnold is expected to start working with the ball again at some point this week.

However, having seemingly been forced to sit out training with the remainder of the team, the Reds' vice-captain should not be seen at the Raiffeisen Arena, meaning that Joe Gomez is likely to continue at right-back.

A separate report from The Athletic states that Alexander-Arnold is still hopeful of being fit for the Reds' next Premier League game, which comes at home to West Ham United on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool are not prepared to take any risks with the defender's fitness, though, and Klopp will be expected to deliver an update when he faces the media on Wednesday evening.

❌ Trent Alexander-Arnold
❌ Thiago

Liverpool underway in training ahead of their Europa League match-up! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/LioGmPnDo7

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) September 20, 2023

While Klopp will make do without Thiago and Alexander-Arnold, he will be boosted by the return of captain Virgil van Dijk, who has served a two-game domestic suspension for improper conduct.

In addition, Ibrahima Konate should also be passed fit to start after recovering from a thigh problem to come off the bench at Wolves, where 20-year-old Jarell Quansah made his first Premier League start.

The Kirkby academy graduate impressed at Molineux and could be given another chance to prove himself in Austria, with Klopp expected to make wholesale changes to his starting lineup.

The likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Kostas Tsimikas, Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliott are all pushing for starts, while Ryan Gravenberch is also in line to make his full debut for the club.

In addition, 17-year-old winger Ben Doak - who has just signed a new long-term contract at Anfield - is in contention to start in the final third should Mohamed Salah be granted a rest.