Liverpool’s quadruple bid has suffered a major setback after Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a hamstring injury during the victory over Arsenal.

Manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed the right back will be absent for ‘weeks’ – ruling him out of Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final with Nottingham Forest, and forcing his withdrawal from the England squad.

Liverpool will hope the 23-year-old is back in time to face Manchester City for what could be a decisive meeting in the title race on April 10, but Klopp will have to call on one of James Milner, Joe Gomez or youngster Conor Bradley to deputise for the weekend’s fixture.

“It’s tricky. We will see how long it will take,” said Klopp.

“To replace Trent is difficult, but possible. We have James Milner and Joe Gomez and theoretically we can change the system as well. Trent is so influential but Milner has done incredibly well in the past. We’ll see how Milly is for Sunday.

“Maybe we have a very young solution (Bradley) as well.”

Klopp resumes calls for five substitutes in Premier League

Klopp suggested Alexander-Arnold’s setback is directly related to the demands put upon modern players as he repeated his call for more protection and five substitutes.

“The five subs are essential,” said Klopp. “I think Scotland plans six friendly games in the summer, not all for the purpose of if we go to the World Cup we are better prepared. It is for money reasons. England have four games. In the summer – where for the first time in ages there is no tournament – what do we do? Put in new games. 

“Just accepting top class players get injured more than other people, that makes no sense. When I heard that with six and four games in the summer break and after that a normal season follows, plus a World Cup in the middle, how do you think these boys get through it.You have to have each second to recover, it is really tough.”

Klopp also has an injury worry over Mohamed Salah, who was only fit enough for a place on the bench in Wednesday’s win at Arsenal – the game in which Alexander-Arnold was injured but still completed 90 minutes.

“Mo felt his foot a bit after the game so we will have to see what they do with that,” added Klopp.

“On top of that there are some other bits and bobs. We have to wait.”