SOCCER
Alisson Becker injury update: How many games will he miss for Liverpool?
Reports in England suggest that Arne Slot will be without his goalkeeper for nearly two months after picking up a serious hamstring injury.
Liverpool are set to be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker for a minimum of seven games after a scan revealed the extent of his hamstring issue.
The Brazilian No. 1 was forced off in last weekend’s Premier League win over Crystal Palace with a hamstring injury. The Times reports Alisson has sustained a serious hamstring injury and will be unavailable for at least seven matches.
Liverpool’s next seven games are: Chelsea (Premier League), RB Leipzig (Champions League), Arsenal (Premier League), Brighton & Hove Albion (EFL Cup), Brighton & Hove Albion (Premier League), Bayer Leverkusen (Champions League) and Aston Villa (Premier League).
Alisson’s injury issues cause concern
Although he was absent due to illness last weekend, Caoimhin Kelleher is the established backup to Alisson and the Ireland international will be stepping up in the coming weeks. Kelleher nearly left the club over the summer, pointing to a lack of first-team action, but the club were eager to keep him.
Alisson was out injured for ten Premier League games due to muscular issues in 2023/24 and has already missed two games this season. He recently turned 32 and there is a grudging acceptance at Anfield that he may not be the long-term option.
Liverpool’s biggest piece of business during a quiet 2024 summer transfer window was the deal to bring in Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. The $38 million signing will not join the club until next summer, but his addition suggests that the Reds are increasingly wary of Alisson’s injury issues.
Beyond this season, Liverpool will likely have three goalkeepers who each have designs on the No. 1 jersey at Anfield. Kelleher and Mamardashvili are talented young players but it’s Alisson who is in possession of the starter’s jersey as it stands.