Alexander-Arnold returned to training before the match against Tottenham

Despite recovering quickly from a hamstring injury suffered against Aston Villa a few weeks ago, Alexander-Arnold is not expected to feature in Liverpool’s Carabao Cup match against Leicester City this evening.

The 24-year-old has been an influential figure for Jurgen Klopp’s side since making his debut in a 2-1 victory over Tottenham in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup in 2016.

He has featured in four league games for the Merseysiders and made one assist this season as they lie 2nd in the Premier League table with 16 points, just two points behind leaders Manchester City.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of the Leicester clash, Lijnders disclosed that Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a return to action after training with his teammates on Monday. He could be in contention for the Spurs game this weekend.

Liverpool fans received yet another injury boost regarding Thiago Alcantara’s return to full fitness after several weeks on the sidelines.

The 32-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance this season last featured for the Reds in the 2-1 victory at West Ham back in April. He racked up 28 appearances and registered one assist across all competitions last season.

Lijnders confirmed that Thiago is in a ‘good way’ and progressing well in his recovery:

“He is in a good way, the healing process is going well so that’s the most important [thing] at this moment,” Lijnders added.

Alcantara has been hampered by injuries since moving to Anfield from Bayern Munich in 2020. He helped Liverpool secure Champions League qualification in his debut season after several key players suffered long-term injuries including skipper Virgil van Dijk.

The Spain international helped the Reds mount a historic quadruple charge in the 2021/22 season as Klopp’s side came close to winning both the Premier League and Champions League but lost to Man City and Real Madrid respectively.

Liverpool ended up winning the Carabao Cup and Emirates FA Cup – both beating Chelsea in the final on penalty shootouts

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Former England international Andros Townsend is training at Tottenham – returning to the club he left in 2016.

Townsend is a free agent after leaving Everton in the summer and had a spell at Burnley, who decided against offering the 32-year-old a contract.

And Mail Sport understands Tottenham have opened the door to their state-of-the-art HQ in Enfield to Townsend, who came through their academy after joining as an eight-year-old.

For now Townsend is training with a view to maintaining his fitness as he seeks a return to professional football and there is no indication that head coach Ange Postecoglou is even considering handing him a contract.

It is understood that he is not involved with first-team training.

Nevertheless, Townsend’s training stint at Spurs marks an emotional return to the club he has such an affinity with.

Townsend grew up a Tottenham supporter and eventually went on to make 93 appearances for the club – scoring 11 goals.

He became an England international during his time at Tottenham, breaking into the national squad in September 2013.

Townsend left Spurs in 2016, joining Crystal Palace where he made 185 appearances before joining Everton in 2021.

But the attacker has now come full circle and is back at Tottenham training as he seeks the next step in his career.