Liverpool boss Arne Slot has confirmed that Alisson Becker will be out of the Premier League match against Bournemouth on Saturday because of a muscle problem.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has featured in all the games that Liverpool has contested in the current 2024-25 season playing a 90 minutes game and was part of the team that beat AC Milan 3-1 in Tuesday’s Champions League match.
Alisson was not displaying any discomfort during that match and while Milan’s goalkeeper, Mike Maignan, had to be substituted early due to his own injury Alisson revealed to Slot that the 31-year-old tweaked a muscle before the game at San Siro and sustained the injury during the game.
Alisson was not with the players during Thursday’s training session, and his condition will be assessed ahead of the Bournemouth game. Slot knew that goalkeeper is bound to be left out as with Harvey Elliott who has suffered a foot fracture and cannot be in the team unless he is allowed to train on Friday.
Alisson's Recurring Injury Woes
‘Alisson is still a doubt, he is going to try and train today but if not he will more than likely miss tomorrow’s game,’ said Slot in his pre-match conference. ‘He has a slight muscle problem, and we are not sure if this is going to be too early for him to play, He said it developed slightly before the Milan game but felt it worsen after the match.
Alisson has sustained know injuries since signing for Liverpool in July 2018 that have seen him absent for 48 games for club and country due to injuries or illnesses. Last season, for instance, he was out of action for almost two months after suffering from a hamstring injury, while also requiring a two-week break from a muscular injury before Christmas.
Caoimhin Kelleher's Opportunity?
Alisson’s absence came at an even more ironic time since Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher has recently complained that he has been stuck as the second-choice goalkeeper for a long. The player targeted first-team exposure abroad, especially for the Republic of Ireland but the Anfield giants quoted their valuation of £25m to £30m.
Kelleher benefitted from Alisson’s injury last season to make 10 Pep Shield League starts while impressing with his one-on-one ability. Although, he went back to the bench once Alisson recovered from her illness. Given that Liverpool signed Georgian shot-stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili, he will not be able to join the club until next summer so for now, Kelleher stays as a backup goalie.
Alisson might still regain fitness in time for the weekend while Kelleher has gotten his chance and the Irishman needs to grab it if he is given the start.
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