Liverpool superstar leaves the pitch with injury during first half vs Aston Villa as Reds lead by a goal

Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been forced off through injury in the first half of his side's league game against Aston Villa. The Reds hold a 1-0 lead at home against Villa as they look to extend their lead atop the Premier League standings.

England international Alexander-Arnold has been a regular for Arne Slot since his summer arrival at the club, continuing as the first-choice right-back. The 26-year-old defender was named in the starting XI for Aston Villa's trip to Anfield, but lasted only 24 minutes.

Trent Alexander-Arnold picked up what appeared to be a thigh problem, causing him to come off midway through the first half. Fellow academy graduate Conor Bradley was sent on in place of the Englishman for his sixth league appearance of the campaign.

Bradley, 21, broke out in Jürgen Klopp's final season in charge of the club, playing a number of games as Alexander-Arnold was ruled out through injury. The Northern Ireland international had played only 269 minutes of action for the Reds before coming off the bench against Aston Villa.

Alexander-Arnold had been named in what is Lee Carsley's last England squad as interim manager earlier this week. The Three Lions are set to face Greece and Ireland in their last two UEFA Nations League games as they look to round off the group phase of the competition.

Liverpool were already in the lead thanks to a goal from Uruguayan striker Darwin Nunez before Alexander-Arnold was forced off through injury. The Reds are closing in on a win that would send them five points clear atop the league standings.

Manchester City stumble ahead of crunch Liverpool encounter, Reds set to open up significant gap

Liverpool have been handed a significant boost in their pursuit of the Premier League title as rivals Manchester City slipped up. The champions succumbed to a 2-1 defeat away from home against Brighton & Hove Albion, their fourth successive defeat across all competitions.

Erling Haaland gave City the lead before two quickfire goals from Joao Pedro and Matt O'Riley turned the game on its head and gave the Seagulls all three points. The Cityzens lost a second successive league game, leaving them two points behind Liverpool at the end of their match.

Manchester City are due to face Arne Slot's side in the league on December 1st in a match that is expected to have a great deal of ramifications on the title race. The Cityzens will likely go into the game with a five-point deficit, leaving them needing a win at all costs.