Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals he is ‘fit’ and ‘ready to play’ in Liverpool after thigh injury

Trent Alexander-Arnold has declared himself ‘fully pain free’ and ‘fit’ for the new season with Liverpool and reveals he is back in full-training with the Reds.

The 22-year-old right-back was set to be part of Gareth Southgate’s England squad for this summer’s Euro 2020 but picked up a thigh issue in the Three Lions’ first pre-tournament friendly against Austria and was replaced by Arsenal-bound Ben White.

The right-back has admitted he is ‘ready to play’ for Jurgen Klopp’s side in pre-season as they plot to steal back the Premier League title crown stolen by Manchester City last season. 

The defender (right) missed England’s Euro 2020 bid after an injury in a friendly with Austria

Alexander-Arnold told the Liverpool official website: ‘(I am) fully pain-free. I’ve been doing a lot of rehab when we were off over the summer with the physios and the medical staff, which was good for me. 

‘I feel fit, I feel healthy and I’m back in full training now, so it’s good. It’s good for me.

‘I’ve done quite a few sessions with the lads now, I feel fit enough to play. But the decision comes from the manager, the staff and obviously the medical staff, they need to talk and see if it’s worth the risk.

‘If not, there’s a game on Friday as well, so whether it’s a case of a few minutes on Tuesday and play a bit more on Friday, ease me in like that, who knows? Either way, I’ll be ready to play.’

Alexander-Arnold (left) is now back in full pre-season training with the other Liverpool stars

Alexander-Arnold played a major role in Liverpool’s ascent from mid-table obscurity to a top-four place last season, scoring one goal and registering four assists in the Reds’ final nine Premier League matches of last season.

That form earned him a recall into the England squad for the summer fixtures, after Southgate had dropped him during the March international break after Liverpool’s form went into meltdown.  

Two other Liverpool defenders who missed the Euro 2020 tournament were Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, who have both been out for nine months with long-term injuries. 

Defenders Virgil van Dijk (right) and Joe Gomez (left) are set to return from long-term injuries 

Liverpool boss Klopp confirmed last week that the centre-back pair are further behind than Alexander-Arnold in their progress and are not ready for double pre-season sessions. 

Klopp told the club’s website: ‘Virg and Joe will not have double sessions now for the first few days with the team. They have a second session of the day but it’s with the rehab department, physiotherapy – these kinds of things.

‘That’s for these two. (They) look really good. I don’t know exactly when we can make the next steps but it will happen in the next four weeks. For sure, we will get a big step forward.’  

Jurgen Klopp’s side are preparing for their first Premier League match at Norwich on August 14

Meanwhile, Joel Matip – also a centre-back – has not featured for the club since suffering ankle ligament damage in February, with Klopp saying the defender is close to a return to action. 

The Reds are currently on a pre-season training camp in Austria ahead of the new Premier League season, which will begin on August 14 for them with a trip to Carrow Road.

The Merseysiders will take on Klopp’s former side Mainz while on their camp on July 23 before facing another German club in Hertha Berlin six days later.