Explained: Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip’s absences from Liverpool squad | OneFootball

As promised, Jurgen Klopp has made a number of changes to the starting-XI that face Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan outfit in the Champions League.

Virgil van Dijk has been brought back to the fold in a completely alien backline to that which entered the pitch on Wednesday, with Ibrahima Konate handed his league debut whilst Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joel Matip are notable absentees.

According to the club’s official Twitter account, however, there’s nothing to be worried about when it comes to the latter pair, with the side confirming that the right-back had been ruled out due to “illness”, whilst the Cameroonian centre-half is being “rested”.

READ MORE: Liverpool team news confirmed as Konate starts amidst major defensive changes

Having already seen the likes of Bobby Firmino and Harvey Elliott sustain injuries, it’s something of a relief to think that we won’t be without the world-class fullback for an extended period of time.

Though, given Klopp’s decision to bench Robertson, it seems likely that the German’s chosen lineup wouldn’t have differed had the 22-year-old been available for selection.

Otherwise, we at the EOTK are greatly anticipating Ibrahima Konate’s debut alongside Virgil van Dijk, in what some suspect will be our strongest centre-back pairing in the long run.

Trent was arguably at fault for the goals conceded v AC Milan… but to say he can’t defend is wide of the mark