When Liverpool allowed Nathaniel Clyne to leave the club on loan, it’s fair to say one or two eyebrows were raised.
With Joe Gomez already out injured, the Reds were just one Trent Alexander-Arnold injury away from being particularly short of natural options at right-back - and now their worst fears have been realised.
Alexander-Arnold looks set to miss the best part of a month through injury, leaving Jurgen Klopp to juggle with makeshift options in his squad, rather than being able to call upon 14-cap England international Clyne.
The 27-year-old is set to spend the rest of the season at Bournemouth, having been allowed to leave the club to get some regular first-team action, but would have now been given an extended run in the Liverpool side.
James Milner, Fabinho and Rafael Camacho are the current options to occupy the role, with Liverpool set to face Crystal Palace, Leicester, West Ham and Bournemouth in Alexander-Arnold’s absence, before a huge double header against Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Liverpool are hopeful the 20-year-old will be back for those fixtures.
Read below to see some of the best reactions to Alexander-Arnold’s injury and the decision to allow their ready-made replacement to leave on loan.
Should just agree to get Clyne back for a game or two, offer him to Cardiff again before sending him back to Bournemouth.
— The Redmen TV (@TheRedmenTV) January 15, 2019
(I know we can’t recall him) pic.twitter.com/Uvm6gxleWd
Trent Alexander-Arnold ruled out for up to a month with injury.
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) January 15, 2019
Nathaniel Clyne loaned to Bournemouth.
Only one man for the job at right back. pic.twitter.com/BY4ffY1Rt2
This is why I don’t understand why we let Nathaniel Clyne go? We now have to have a make shift right back for 4 weeks. Is it possible? Yes. Is it really annoying? Yes. https://t.co/uhqDNxBMrd
— - (@AnfieldRd96) January 15, 2019
Trent Alexander-Arnold is out for a month at Liverpool.
— HLTCO (@HLTCO) January 15, 2019
Nathaniel Clyne is now on loan at Bournemouth.
Fair to say they're a little short of cover at right-back.
Not fazed about TAA out for a month. James Milner will cover that position and when Gomez is back, he can cover there as well. Also have Fabinho and Camacho who can play that role. We have plenty of options, that’s why we loaned out Clyne.
— Samuel (@SamueILFC) January 15, 2019
