Liverpool manager Arne Slot has raised concerns over the availability of goalkeeper Alisson Becker for their upcoming Premier League match against Bournemouth. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who has been a regular starter for the Reds this season, is currently dealing with a muscle issue that may sideline him for Saturday’s game.
Alisson, 31, has been a key player for Liverpool, featuring in all four of their Premier League matches this season and playing a vital role in their Champions League victory against AC Milan earlier in the week. The muscle problem, however, surfaced before the Milan match but worsened after the game.
Slot addressed the situation in a press conference, saying, “Alisson has a slight muscle issue, and we’re assessing whether he can train on Friday. If not, he probably won’t be available for the weekend.”
Kelleher Ready to Step In
During the media-accessible portion of Liverpool’s training session, Alisson was notably absent, with backups Caoimhin Kelleher and Vitezslav Jaros seen participating. Kelleher, who stepped in last season when Alisson missed over two months due to injury, may be called upon once again if Alisson is unable to recover in time.
Slot acknowledged the importance of managing Alisson’s workload carefully. “He played a lot of matches for both club and country last season, and we need to see if he’s ready for this game or if we need to give him more time to recover.”
Liverpool are in the middle of a demanding schedule, with Saturday’s game marking the third of seven fixtures in a span of just 22 days.
Slot Not Worried About Fixture Pile-Up
Despite Liverpool’s busy calendar, Slot remains unfazed by the increased number of games in English football compared to the Eredivisie, where he previously managed. He noted that the Premier League schedule, especially during the festive season, is more intense than what he experienced in the Netherlands.
“The Premier League has more matches, and we also play through Christmas, which adds to the load. But the level of competition here is also much higher, with teams like Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth presenting a much bigger challenge than mid-table Eredivisie sides,” said Slot.
Liverpool, having recently lost to Nottingham Forest after the international break, will be aiming to bounce back with a strong performance against Bournemouth. However, they may have to do so without their first-choice goalkeeper.
