Trent Alexander-Arnold: Arne Slot provides promising injury update ahead of historic derby | OneFootball

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold hasn't been ruled out of playing a part in this week's Merseyside derby following a recent injury scare.

Alexander-Arnold was forced off with a hamstring problem after 70 minutes of the Premier League clash with Bournemouth earlier this month. He then missed subsequent cup ties against Tottenham Hotspur and Plymouth Argyle, although he likely wouldn't have appeared in the latter anyway.

At the start of the week, there were still doubts over Alexander-Arnold's fitness going into the re-arranged derby, the last ever to be staged at the historic Goodison Park. But when Slot spoke at a press conference on Tuesday morning, he offered some hope.

"Trent has done parts of training sessions with us yesterday. Let's see how he is today," the Liverpool boss explained, leaving the door open for the right-back to be passed fit in time.

Alexander-Arnold picked up a hamstring injury at Bournemouth / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

As a scouser born and raised, it is a derby that is likely to mean more to Alexander-Arnold than most.

Goodison Park, which has stood just a few hundred metres from Anfield since it was built in 1892, is part of the city’s sporting heritage and will be missed once Everton have taken up home a short distance away at the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium.

The irony for Slot is that this happens to be his very first time at Goodison.

"It's an extra reason why the atmosphere will be even better," the Dutchman said.

"I haven't been to one but people tell me it is always a fantastic atmosphere. It's probably going to be a fantastic atmosphere and that is never easy to play against.

"Every single time they cross the halfway line or get a corner kick, the fans will cheer for that. As an away team you have to be ready for that. But it's not the first time for these players they are playing in atmospheres like this. I hope they can focus on what they do. I noticed in the Plymouth game, the intensity of the tackles was because of the emotions in the stadium. We have to be up for that."