Liverpool’s Title Hopes Take a Hit as Star Goalkeeper Sidelined Until November
The Reds’ impressive start to the season under new manager Arne Slot has been dealt a significant blow with the news that first-choice goalkeeper Alisson will be out of action until late November. The 32-year-old Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace, forcing him off the pitch in the 79th minute.
With Alisson sidelined, Liverpool will turn to Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher to fill the void. Kelleher has already proven himself capable of stepping up, having started against Bournemouth earlier in the season when Alisson was injured. However, he was unavailable for Saturday’s match due to illness.
Slot expressed his disappointment at losing his star goalkeeper, saying, “Alisson is our clear No. 1, the best goalkeeper in the world, so it’s a blow when he gets injured for himself and the team.” However, he remains confident in Kelleher’s abilities, stating, “We have a second option that’s already good. Caoimhín has already shown that.”
Alisson’s injury is particularly concerning given his history of hamstring problems, which caused him to miss 10 Premier League matches last season. His absence will be felt in several key upcoming matches, including a home clash against Chelsea, a Champions League tie against RB Leipzig, and a trip to face fellow title contenders Arsenal.
Liverpool’s goalkeeping options have been bolstered by the recent £29 million signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, but Alisson’s return date is likely to be after the next international break, when the Reds travel to Southampton on November 24. This will kick off a demanding run of fixtures, including matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Leave a Reply