Trent Alexander-Arnold has avoided serious injury after being forced off of Liverpool’s 2-0 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
The England international, 26, came off with 20 minutes to go at the Vitality Stadium after pulling up with discomfort in his thigh.
He immediately signalled to the bench that he needed to come off before being replaced by Conor Bradley.
Alexander-Arnold has since undergone further assessment which has allayed fears that he could be set for a significant spell on the sidelines with the expectation now that he could return to the field sooner rather than later, although Liverpool aren’t likely to rush the recovery of one of their key players.
Arne Slot’s side next face Tottenham Hotspur in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie on Thursday.
They then travel to Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round on Sunday before returning to Premier League action against Merseyside rivals Everton on February 12.
Liverpool currently sit top of the Premier League table, six points clear of Arsenal having played a game fewer.
Alexander-Arnold’s future at Anfield remains uncertain with Real Madrid hoping to sign him when his contract expires this summer.
Madrid had hoped to sign him in the January but Liverpool dismissed an approach and made it clear he was not for sale.
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‘News to delight Slot’
Analysis by Liverpool correspondent Andy Jones
This is news that will delight head coach Arne Slot as he will not have to deal with being without one of his key players for long.
Alexander-Arnold is the only senior player currently on Liverpool’s injury list — and while he may miss the Carabao Cuo semi-final against Tottenham — he should be back to play a part in a crucial run of Premier League fixtures this month concluding with a trip to Manchester to face Pep Guardiola’s, Manchester City.
Fellow right-back Conor Bradley will, as he has done previously, be able to step in until Alexander-Arnold is back to full fitness. He has shown himself to be a more than capable back-up to the England international.
It is never a good sign when a player requests to come off because of discomfort, but it appears the 26-year-old spotted the issue early enough to prevent doing any further damage by trying to play on.
(Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
