Trent Alexander-Arnold could be snubbed by Liverpool after confirmed team news – Whelan
Noel Whelan has backed Joe Gomez to start over Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool face Benfica in the Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed Jurgen Klopp has an opportunity to hand Alexander-Arnold, 23, extra rest time following his injury layoff.
Gomez started in a right-back berth for the second time this season against Watford on Saturday (2 April), and provided a sumptuous cross for Diogo Jota – who opened the scoring in the 2-0 win at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold watched on from the bench after suffering a hamstring injury just before the March international break.
As quoted by Metro (4 April), Jurgen Klopp confirmed he has a “full squad available” ahead of tonight’s (5 April) trip to Lisbon.
The German claimed Alexander-Arnold is “ready” after “four or five days” in training.
However, Whelan claimed the England international could be benched once again with one eye on Sunday’s (10 April) crunch game against Man City.
“I think Gomez deserves another chance after a performance like that against Watford,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“His delivery was fantastic, he obviously put the cross bang on the money to get the goal for Jota as well. He’ll also add a bit of height in the box for set pieces, as well.
“He’s got the athleticism to get up and down despite not being a natural right-back, and he was defensively solid at the weekend.
“I don’t see any reason why Klopp shouldn’t play Gomez and give Trent Alexander-Arnold that extra bit of time to get back up to 100% fitness.
“There’d be no doubt if Trent were fit.
“But Klopp has an opportunity to give him a bit more rest with such a tough schedule coming up.”
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