Arne Slot issues worrying Alisson injury update as two Liverpool stars return to training | Football | Sport
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has revealed that Alisson Becker is likely to be sidelined until after the international break. The veteran goalkeeper was forced off during the second half of the Reds’ midweek defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. He appeared to injure his hamstring while running back to make a save just before the hour mark.
In the aftermath of the fixture, it was reported that Alisson would face an extended spell on the sidelines. Those fears were confirmed on Friday, with Slot claiming he would be ‘surprised’ if the Brazilian stopper is available immediately after the international break. He will definitely miss Saturday’s game against Chelsea with Giorgi Mamardashvili set to feature between the sticks.
Slot also revealed that Hugo Ekitike and Federico Chiesa would be returning to training ahead of the game at Stamford Bridge, which suggests they could be included in the matchday squad.
“Alisson is not part of the squad tomorrow and won’t travel to Brazil as well with the national team,” said the Liverpool boss. “He will be out for Saturday. Hugo is going to train again today and same can be said for Federico.
“I would be surprised if he [Alisson] is there for first game after the international break but we don’t know after that. It depends how quickly he can recover.”
Quizzed on the severity of the injury, Slot replied: “I’m not a doctor so I can’t tell you if it’s every time the same. I’m mainly interested in how well it’s going to take and there are other people in the club who can give you a better answer.”
Liverpool will be desperate to return to winning ways against Chelsea, who have lost four of their last five games in all competitions, and Slot is confident that Mamardashvili will be up to the task of replacing Alisson for the fixture.
“We knew we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper,” he said. “When he plays his first game it’s the best way of seeing he’s adjusted well or not.
“We saw against Southampton that he adjusted really well to our club, which isn’t a surprise as he is a quality goalkeeper. Now he can do what Caoimhin [Kelleher] has had to do so many times in the past by replacing Ali.”
Reflecting on the midweek defeat to Galatasaray, the Liverpool boss added: ” I saw a team that wanted to try everything to get a result. Different to the Palace game, we won much more second balls and were like in the Palace game close to a result.
“Last season margins were so small and that’s the same this season again. We are trying to find a way that isn’t about luck or set-pieces that adjust better than that.
“Ekitike was twice through and did everything to stay on his feet and then one of their players goes down with what appears the worst hit ever. We need to be better so that doesn’t matter to us.”