Premier League
Liverpool Goalkeeper Alisson Out For Weeks With Hamstring Injury
Liverpool have confirmed they will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson until late November after he injured his hamstring in their 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Alisson was forced off in the 79th minute of the match and was replaced by debutant third-choice goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros.
With Alisson unavailable, Liverpool will rely on Caoimhín Kelleher to take over as goalkeeper after the international break.
Liverpool are off to a fantastic start under new manager Arne Slot, but the news of Alisson’s injury is a setback. As their first-choice goalkeeper, Alisson’s absence will be felt in several important matches.
After the international break, Liverpool face Chelsea at home in the Premier League before they travel to RB Leipzig in the Champions League.
They then face fellow title contenders Arsenal away, followed by Brighton away in the League Cup, a home match against Brighton in the Premier League, and Bayer Leverkusen at Anfield in the Champions League.
Alisson’s return date is likely to be after the next international break when Liverpool travel to Southampton on Nov. 24. which then kicks off a run of fixtures that includes matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
With Alisson sidelined, Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Kelleher will step up.
Kelleher started in the match against Bournemouth earlier this season when Alisson was injured, but he missed Saturday’s trip to Selhurst Park due to illness.
“Alisson is our clear No. 1, the best goalkeeper in the world so it’s a blow when he gets injured for himself and the team,” Slot said after the match on Saturday.
“We have a second option that’s already good. Caoimhín has already shown that, which is why Caoimhín is the No. 2, and the last time Alisson was injured, I played Caoimhín. He did well; it’s pleasing to see that our third goalkeeper can have an impact on results, as Caoimhín was ill yesterday and today.”
Alisson has struggled with hamstring problems this season and missed 10 Premier League matches last season.
Liverpool have bolstered their goalkeeping options ahead of next season with the £29 million ($38m) signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.