PREMIER LEAGUE
Alisson Becker injury update: Liverpool goalkeeper ruled out
Reds boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the Brazilian was suffering with a hamstring issue that could keep him out for weeks.
Liverpool with be without goalkeeper Alisson Becker after the Brazilian picked up an injury in last weekend’s draw against Manchester City.
Alisson suffered a late hamstring injury at the Etihad but, with Liverpool having already used all of their substitutions, was forced to play on. He received on-field treatment and was assumed to be a doubt for the upcoming fixtures.
Diogo Jota also picked up a hamstring injury last weekend and he too is facing a spell on the sidelines.
On Wednesday Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed that both Alisson and Jota are unavailable for Thursday’s Europa League fixture against LASK.
“Both are out,” Klopp told reporters. “With Ali it’s a bit lesser, so we have to see – not day by day, he will not play tomorrow, not on Sunday, probably not the week after. Then it should be kind of OK.
“Diogo will take a little bit longer, we don’t know exactly how long, but it’s a bit more severe. We have to see.”
Caoimhin Kelleher determined to take opportunity
With Alisson set to miss up to five games for the Reds, back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher will step into his place. The Irish stopper turned 25 recently but has made precious few first-team appearances for the club.
He has been with Liverpool since the age of 17 but Alisson’s brilliance has ensured that the Irishman has had little chance to stake his claim. The Brazilian has been the undisputed number one since arriving at Anfield in 2018 for a world-record fee.
However Kelleher has been given opportunities in the Europa League this season and, speaking to reporters ahead of the recent loss to Toulouse, made clear that he wants to push on.
“Clearly I am still back-up at the moment but my ambition is to play as many games as I can, that’s what I want to do,” Kelleher said.
“It’s really important for me in terms of building up that match sharpness and to get a good run of games is really important for me and my development.”
Kelleher looks set to start in Liverpool’s two remaining Europa League group stage fixtures and in upcoming Premier League matches against Fulham, Sheffield United and Crystal Palace.