Alisson Injury Update: Liverpool’s No. 1 Faces Prolonged Absence
Liverpool fans were dealt a major blow this week with the news that star goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be out of action for an extended period of time. Jurgen Klopp had already confirmed that Alisson would be absent for the “foreseeable,” but Brazil manager Dorival Jr has now shed more light on the situation.
Alisson has missed Liverpool’s last two games due to illness and a subsequent injury. Now, it seems he will be sidelined for at least a month and a half. Dorival Jr, who is in charge of the Brazilian national team, has ruled out Alisson’s participation in the upcoming friendlies against England and Spain on March 23 and 26 respectively.
The news not only affects Liverpool but also raises concerns for Brazil, as Alisson’s absence leaves a void in their squad. In an interview with TNT Sports correspondent Fred Caldeira, Dorival Jr confirmed that Wolves’ Matheus Cunha and Brighton’s Joao Pedro would also miss the friendlies.
While it remains to be seen if Alisson’s recovery will take even longer, it seems likely that he will not be available for Liverpool until after the international break. This means he will miss at least eight more games, including the highly anticipated Carabao Cup final against Chelsea on Sunday and crucial Premier League clashes with Manchester City on March 10 and Everton on March 17.
Furthermore, Alisson will be unavailable for both legs of the Europa League last 16. The earliest possible return date for the goalkeeper could be Liverpool’s league match against Brighton on March 31. However, this is subject to his recovery progress.
The absence of Alisson is a significant blow for both player and club. The Brazilian shot-stopper has been a key figure for Liverpool since his arrival in 2018, playing a crucial role in their recent successes. His presence between the posts will be sorely missed, especially given the injury problems plaguing the squad.
Liverpool have already been dealing with a number of injuries, including those to Curtis Jones, Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai, Thiago, Joel Matip, Stefan Bajcetic, and Ben Doak. Alisson’s absence adds to the growing list of sidelined players.
In Alisson’s absence, young goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher is expected to step up and fill the void. Kelleher has shown promise in his limited appearances this season and impressed against Burnley and Brentford. The Irishman will now have an extended run in the side, providing an opportunity to prove his worth.
Liverpool will be hoping for a swift recovery for Alisson, as they navigate through a challenging period of fixtures. The absence of their No. 1 goalkeeper will undoubtedly test the team’s depth and resilience. As fans anxiously await Alisson’s return, they can only hope that his absence does not derail Liverpool’s season ambitions.