Arne Slot had only just begun his international break when he received the news he feared the most. Alisson Becker’s hamstring injury, sustained during Liverpool’s match against Crystal Palace last Saturday, will keep the Brazilian goalkeeper out for at least six weeks.
Caomhin Kelleher, who has already filled in for Alisson twice this season and featured 26 times last year, is expected to step up once more in his absence. However, Kelleher missed the Selhurst Park game due to illness, forcing third-choice keeper Vitezslav Jaros to make his senior Liverpool debut late in the match.
Alisson’s injury comes at a critical time, with Liverpool facing a string of crucial fixtures post-international break, including Premier League matches against Chelsea, Brighton, Aston Villa, and Arsenal, as well as Champions League ties with RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen, and a League Cup match against Brighton This latest setback has raised fresh concerns about Alisson’s recurring hamstring problems. Some fans have even suggested that Liverpool consider fast-tracking the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, who agreed to a £30 million transfer from Valencia for next summer. However, Mamardashvili is not an option for January, as he remains a Valencia player until the end of this season, per the terms of the deal.
For now, Kelleher will continue as Alisson’s deputy for the remainder of the campaign, stepping in whenever necessary should Alisson face further injury woes in the New Year. Mamardashvili’s time at Anfield will come—but not until next summer.
