Liverpool’s Alisson Faces Extended Absence, Impact on Key Matches
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson is set to miss several crucial games this season, which could significantly affect the team’s chances of securing silverware. With Arne Slot at the helm, the Reds are aiming for a strong finish in both the FA Cup and the Champions League, but Alisson’s absence has cast a shadow over these ambitions.
In a recent fitness update, there were more positive developments than concerns. However, the absence of the Brazilian No. 1 will be felt deeply as the team prepares for pivotal quarter-final matches against Manchester City in the FA Cup and Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League.
Mohamed Salah, who had been sidelined due to an injury and missed Egypt’s international camp, is expected to return to the squad. His return marks the start of his farewell tour, as he has announced that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season.
Alexander Isak is also making progress in his recovery. He has completed two training sessions ahead of the trip to City and may be fit enough for a brief appearance off the bench. This would mark Isak’s first game since before Christmas, after missing three and a half months due to a fractured tibia sustained during a match against Tottenham Hotspur on December 20.
Jeremie Frimpong has returned to training after experiencing issues with the Netherlands this week. However, Slot must be cautious about his involvement, given the number of injuries he has faced this season.
Alisson’s absence is a major concern for head coach Arne Slot. According to Transfermarkt data, the 33-year-old has experienced 11 separate injuries or illnesses over the past three seasons, many involving his hamstring. He missed the recent game against Brighton and did not attend Brazil’s camp. It is unlikely that he will feature in either leg of the Champions League quarter-final against PSG, the European champions who eliminated Liverpool last year.
Alisson recently extended his contract to keep him at Anfield until at least the end of next season. However, the club began planning for his potential departure two years ago by signing Georgia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.
Mamardashvili will take over in the coming weeks. While Slot has occasionally used his third-choice goalkeeper in early rounds of domestic cups when Alisson was injured, it would be unexpected to see Freddie Woodman start ahead of Mamardashvili at the Etihad Stadium.
Slot commented: “Alisson will not be part of the Paris Saint-Germain games as well. He will be out for a bit longer. Towards the end of the season, we expect him to be fit.”
Alisson took to X on Friday afternoon to address the situation, stating: “I didn’t suffer a new injury. I’m in the treatment phase, and the plan is to be in full playing condition by the end of April!”
Regarding Alexander Isak’s recovery, Slot added: “It will definitely be too fast to expect him in the starting line-up. He trained with us yesterday for the first time after exactly 101 days out. It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes, but we will make sure we do the right thing in terms of building him up.
“It is a very good thing to have him on the training ground again. It will be even better to have him available for games.”
