Liverpool’s hopes have taken a hit as goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to be out of action for approximately six weeks due to a hamstring injury.
The 32-year-old Brazilian sustained the injury during last Saturday’s hard-fought 1-0 win against Crystal Palace, leaving the pitch in discomfort late in the second half.
British media reportd indicated that medical tests have confirmed Alisson’s recovery timeline, which means he is unlikely to return until after the upcoming international break.
Consequently, he will miss crucial encounters against Chelsea on October 20 and Arsenal a week later.
The earliest he could potentially make his comeback is during Liverpool’s trip to Southampton on November 24.
In the meantime, Caoimhin Kelleher, who was sidelined for the Palace match due to illness, is expected to step up as the starting goalkeeper.
Kelleher had previously filled in admirably when Alisson was unavailable last season due to another hamstring injury.
After the narrow victory over Crystal Palace, Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, acknowledged the challenges posed by Alisson’s absence.
“We have to wait and see, but it will be a few weeks for him to be back. I think it is, yes (his hamstring),” he stated. “He’s clearly our number one; he’s the best goalkeeper in the world. It’s always a blow when he gets injured, not only for him but us as a team.”
As of now, Liverpool sits atop the Premier League table with 18 points from their first seven matches, just ahead of defending champions Manchester City and rivals Arsenal, making Alisson’s absence all the more significant as they prepare for a challenging schedule, including two Champions League fixtures against RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen.
