Liverpool assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders announced on Tuesday that right back Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered a knee injury that will keep him out for a few weeks. Trent, who has made 18 Premier League appearances for Liverpool this season, sustained the injury in Sunday’s 2-0 FA Cup third-round victory over Arsenal.

“Trent hyperextended his knee. So he has a little tear in the lateral ligament of his knee and he will need time to recover. Hopefully three weeks, with the winter break in between,” Lijnders told reporters.

Liverpool has a gap of 11 days between Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final against Fulham and their next league game at Bournemouth.

“Hopefully he can come back to where he was. Because this guy was decisive in all the games and was the one who created constantly for us from deep and gave the team a high level of flexibility. We will really miss him,” Lijnders added.

Alexander-Arnold, who plays occasionally as a midfielder, has two goals and three assists in the league this season.

“It is a big blow as he was one of our most important players. Even in bad spells he was the one putting the balls where we needed the difference. We will have to find new dynamics without him because he made our game flexible but hopefully it is three weeks.

Alexander-Arnold will undoubtedly miss Wednesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Fulham at Anfield. Jurgen Klopp’s side then face Bournemouth in the Premier League on January 21, with the second leg against the Cottagers taking place three days later.

“He will get some rest and then hopefully he can come back to where he was. Because this guy was decisive in all the games and was the one who created constantly for us from deep and gave the team a high level of flexibility. We will really miss him,” Lijnders added.