Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold to miss three weeks because of a knee injury

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold will be sidelined for three weeks because of a slightly torn knee ligament, the team said Tuesday.

The right-back hyperextended his knee during Liverpool's 2-0 win over Arsenal in an FA Cup third-round game Sunday.

Tests showed a “little tear” to the lateral ligament, assistant manager Pep Lijnders said ahead of the team's League Cup semifinal first leg against Fulham at Anfield on Wednesday.

“He will be out probably three weeks — big blow,” Lijnders said at a press conference. “He was one of our most important players.”

Liverpool leads the Premier League by three points and was already preparing for an extended stretch without top scorer Mohamed Salah , who is on international duty with Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Jurgen Klopp's team is also missing left-backs Andy Robertson (shoulder) and Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), as well as central defender Joel Matip (ACL).

Virgil van Dijk is available to play Wednesday after missing the Arsenal game because of an illness.