Sources: Trent to return from injury vs. Madrid​​

Trent Alexander-Arnold is on course to be available for Liverpool‘s upcoming clashes with Real Madrid and Manchester City after avoiding serious injury in his team’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa, sources have told ESPN.

The defender was substituted just 25 minutes into Saturday’s clash with Unai Emery’s side. However, scans have revealed he only suffered a low-grade hamstring injury, with his early withdrawal having limited the severity of the issue, according to sources.

The 26-year-old is therefore only expected to be sidelined for around two weeks and has not yet been ruled out of Liverpool’s next fixture away to Southampton on Nov. 24.

It is a huge boost for Arne Slot’s side, who face the European champions Madrid at Anfield on Nov. 27 before hosting City in the Premier League on Dec. 1.

Alexander-Arnold is set to miss England‘s upcoming UEFA Nations League games against the Republic of Ireland and Greece, having started each of the Three Lions’ last four games under interim head coach Lee Carsley.

The right-back’s future has been the subject of intense speculation over the past few months, with his Liverpool contract set to expire at the end of the season.

He has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid, and ESPN understands he is the Spanish club’s top defensive target following a season-ending injury to Dani Carvajal last month.

Sources told ESPN there is an understanding at Madrid that agreeing a deal with Liverpool in January would be difficult, meaning Alexander-Arnold is more likely join Carlo Ancelotti’s side as a free agent next summer.