Virgil van Dijk backs Liverpool team-mate to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold at Wembley

Virgil van Dijk claims Jarell Quansah has already proved he can replace the injured Trent Alexander-Arnold in Sunday’s Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle.

Alexander-Arnold will miss out with the ankle injury he suffered in the Champions League defeat to Paris St Germain on Tuesday and Liverpool fear the defender will be out for some time. The Reds are already missing Conor Bradley with a muscle injury and van Dijk has no doubts Quansah will step up for Wembley.

Quansah has been deputising for Alexander-Arnold since Bradley was crocked at Aston Villa last month and he replaced the England star against PSG. Van Dijk claims he has shown he can deliver for Liverpool as the Reds go in search of a record 11th Carabao Cup success.

Speaking after PSG on Tuesday, van Dijk said: “Everyone who’s on the bench or not starting has to try and make an impact. I’ve not even spoken to Trent as I’ve not seen him yet, I’ve no idea what it is.

“If Jarell plays right-back, then he has to do as best as he can do. He has shown tonight that he can do it.”

Ibrahima Konate was also forced off against PSG in extra-time with what looked like cramp and Liverpool do not want to lose him from their backline on top of Joe Gomez, Alexander-Arnold and Bradley already being out. But the France centre-half is expected to recover in time for Wembley and it is not believed to be a serious problem.

Konate should be fit to partner Van Dijk in the heart of the Reds’ defence with Quansah at right-back and Andy Robertson, who impressed against PSG, at left-back. Caoimhin Kelleher should also make his 18th appearance of the season in goal as the Republic of Ireland No 1 bids to win his third Carabao Cup.

Kelleher did not play in the first leg of the semi-final at Tottenham as head coach Arne Slot went with Alisson. But he has made three appearances in the competition, including the semi-final second, and Slot is expected to stick with him as he has done in the domestic cups this season.

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