Liverpool injury crisis worsens as Alexander-Arnold limps off at Man City

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says Trent Alexander-Arnold will withdraw from the England squad after suffering a calf injury during Sunday's 1-1 draw at Manchester City.

The 22-year-old went down holding his calf shortly after the hour mark of the game at Etihad Stadium and was subsequently replaced by James Milner, who made his 750th competitive appearance and his 550th in the Premier League.

The showdown between the last two Premier League title winners would end 1-1, as Mohamed Salah's early spot-kick was cancelled out by a great strike from Gabriel Jesus.

Speaking after the game Reds boss Klopp said Alexander-Arnold will have a scan on Monday to determine the severity of the injury, though revealed it is serious enough for him to pull out of England duty.

“Trent will be out for England, that’s is clear," said the German.

“What he has, we don’t know, but he cannot play for England. He will not be the last and not the only one who Gareth [Southgate] will miss for this international break.

“He will have a scan tomorrow and then we will see.”

Alexander-Arnold is the latest member of the Reds' back line to pick up an injury, with centre-back Virgil van Dijk already ruled out for several months with knee ligament damage. Meanwhile, stand-in defender Fabinho is also missing with a hamstring problem he picked up in his side's Champions League win against Midtjylland.

Klopp had been left with inexperienced defenders Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips to fill the gaps until he welcomed Joel Matip back into the heart of the defence for Sunday's game against Pep Guardiola's team, partnering Joe Gomez.

Liverpool headed into the game looking to return to the top of the table with a win but must be content with a third-place spot, one point behind leaders Leicester. Meanwhile, last year's runners-up City are in 11th place.

The hosts have had an inconsistent start to the campaign, having collected 12 points from their first seven matches, leaving them six points adrift of Leicester, who climbed to the top with a 1-0 win against Wolves earlier on Sunday.

News of Alexander-Arnold's injury will be a blow to England manager Gareth Southgate, who named the Liverpool academy graduate in his squad for the friendly with Republic of Ireland next Thursday and UEFA Nations League matches against Belgium and Iceland.

However, the clash at home to Iceland is now in doubt after the UK government issued a travel ban on visitors coming from Denmark following an outbreak of Covid-19 at mink farms which have spread to local communities in the Scandinavian country.