Alexander-Arnold trending on Twitter with Klopp expected to make surprise Man City call

Trent Alexander-Arnold's first name is trending on Twitter following reports Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will rest him against Manchester City.

Carabao Cup holders Liverpool travel to face City in the round of 16 clash on Thursday night.

It is the two clubs' first competitive game after the winter break for the World Cup.

Liverpool manager Klopp and City boss Pep Guardiola are both expected to rest players who competed in Qatar, with the return of the Premier League also just days away.

The Liverpool Echo, as reported by Anfield Edition, claim that nine senior Liverpool players are unavailable for the trip to the Etihad.

Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are set to be rested because of their involvement in the World Cup.

Arthur Melo (muscle), Luis Diaz (knee) and Diogo Jota (calf) have also been ruled out through injury.

Trent trending on Twitter

Alexander-Arnold's first name is now trending on Twitter following the news that the right-back is set to miss the match.

Fans have questioned why the England international is set to be rested by Klopp despite only playing 33 minutes for the Three Lions at the World Cup.

"I understand Allison/Virg and even Hendo/Konate but why are Trent and Fabinho being rested? They barely played any minutes for the last few weeks," posted one fan on Twitter.

Another added: "Why does Trent need resting let's be real he played like 20 minutes."

"Trent doesn't need resting," posted another supporter.

While a fourth wrote: "Apart from Konate and those injured everyone else should be good to go."

While it remains to be seen whether Klopp will indeed rest so many players, he is likely to have one eye on the return of the Premier League.

Liverpool face Aston Villa away from home on Boxing Day, while defending champions City travel to face Leeds United on December 28.

Klopp's side are currently sixth in the table – seven points off the Champions League places having played one game less than fourth-place Tottenham.

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