{"id":93316,"date":"2023-09-20T18:04:28","date_gmt":"2023-09-20T18:04:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/?p=93316"},"modified":"2023-09-20T18:04:28","modified_gmt":"2023-09-20T18:04:28","slug":"liverpool-star-nearing-return-from-injury-ahead-of-west-ham-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stopsmokingway.com\/soccer\/liverpool-star-nearing-return-from-injury-ahead-of-west-ham-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool star nearing return from injury ahead of West Ham clash"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is aiming to be fit enough to play in Liverpool\u2019s Premier League clash against West Ham on Sunday.<\/p>\n
However, the defender will miss the Reds\u2019 opening Europa League match against LASK on Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
Alexander-Arnold has been on the sidelines since picking up a hamstring injury during the 3-0 win over Aston Villa earlier in September.<\/p>\n
The injury forced him to withdraw from the England squad and made him miss Liverpool\u2019s 3-1 victory at Wolves last Saturday, with Joe Gomez starting at right-back instead.<\/p>\n
And he has not made the flight to Austria, with the 24-year-old not named in Jurgen Klopp\u2019s 23-man squad for the clash at the Raiffeisen Arena, with Thiago Alcantara also missing out as he continues to recover from a groin issue.<\/p>\n
Virgil van Dijk is back however, following his two-game suspension.<\/p>\n
Prior to the Wolves win, Klopp said of Alexander-Arnold\u2019s fitness: \u2018It is not the worst hamstring injury but they barely heal in two weeks; this one didn\u2019t . He is running already, we hope he can start ball work soon. We\u2019ll see.\u2019<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Well just over two weeks later, The Athletic report that Liverpool\u2019s vice-captain is close to a return and is targeting a return to action at Anfield in what could be a crucial game against in form West Ham.<\/p>\n
The Irons have lost just one of their opening five games of the season, at home against Manchester City, and recorded impressive 3-1 wins against Chelsea and Brighton.<\/p>\n
Though it is doubtful he will start, it is said that the club are hopeful Alexander-Arnold can be involved somehow though they do not intend to take any unnecessary risks with his fitness.<\/p>\n
Following the West Ham match, Liverpool have tough league games against Tottenham and Brighton as well as a Carabao Cup and Europa League fixtures with Leicester and Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise.<\/p>\n
For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook,\u00a0<\/strong>Twitter\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/strong>.<\/p>\n