Pictured: Liverpool handed new injury boost before Everton derby showdown

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·19 de março de 2025

Pictured: Liverpool handed new injury boost before Everton derby showdown

Latest fitness scare averted on international break ahead of huge Anfield clash

Liverpool have been handed a new injury boost after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final as they prepare for the latest instalment of the Merseyside derby.

Vídeos OneFootball

The Premier League champions-elect saw their hopes of additional silverware this season wrecked in the space of just five days last week, losing 2-1 to Newcastle in a Wembley upset having already been ousted from the Champions League at the last-16 stage with defeat by Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on penalties at Anfield.

Liverpool had to face Newcastle without Trent Alexander-Arnold, who faces a spell out with an ankle injury sustained against PSG, with Jarell Quansah stepping up to fill in at right-back at the weekend instead with both Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley still missing with hamstring issues. Ibrahima Konate shrugged off a knock to start.

The Reds looked to have suffered another new injury concern in the dramatic closing stages against Newcastle that saw them unsuccessfully push for a last-gasp equaliser to force extra time after a stoppage-time finish from Federico Chiesa laid on by fellow substitute Harvey Elliott, who was later flattened by a challenge from Newcastle’s Joelinton that led to a VAR review.

Though Elliott saw out the final seconds of the game, he received treatment on the pitch afterwards and had to be helped off before then being seen limping as he made his way out of Wembley.

That sparked fears that the midfielder could be set for a stint on the sidelines in a disappointment for those who have called for him to be given more game time by Arne Slot having also come off the bench to score a first-leg winner with his first touch after only 47 seconds against PSG in Paris earlier this month.

It was expected that much would be indicated by whether or not Elliott withdrew from the England Under-21 squad, having been named by returning head coach Lee Carsley in his group to contest the upcoming friendly double-header against France and Portugal.

Not only has the 21-year-old not pulled out of international duty, but he could be seen in footage shared on social media by Mail Sport reporter Nathan Salt taking part in training with the Young Lions at St George’s Park on Wednesday morning, suggesting that he has quickly overcome the problem.

Liverpool’s shock fourth round defeat by Championship strugglers Plymouth last month means they are not involved when club football returns from the international break with FA Cup quarter-final weekend next week, with Slot’s men now not playing again until they host rivals Everton in the latest Merseyside derby at Anfield on Wednesday, April 2.