Liverpool head coach Arne Slot says it remains “difficult” to predict when goalkeeper Alisson Becker will return to action, as the Brazilian continues his recovery from a hamstring injury sustained during Tuesday’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
Reports earlier this week suggested the 33-year-old could be sidelined for around six weeks, which would see him return after the November international break. However, Slot has urged caution over setting a definitive timeline, confirming only that Alisson will miss Saturday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea.
“It depends on how fast his recovery goes,” Slot said in Friday’s press conference. “It’s clear he won’t be available this weekend, and he won’t join the Brazil squad either. I would be surprised if he was ready for the first game after the international break. But recovery can sometimes accelerate or take longer — it’s hard to put a specific number of days or weeks on it. What’s certain is that he won’t be part of our squad or Brazil’s in the coming games.”
In Alisson’s absence, summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili — who joined from Valencia for £29 million — is set to start between the posts at Stamford Bridge.
Liverpool remain at the top of the Premier League table despite a setback in their previous domestic outing, a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace. The Reds are also monitoring the fitness of striker Hugo Ekitike and winger Federico Chiesa, both of whom are expected to return to training on Friday and could be in contention to face Chelsea.
