Alisson Becker to be sidelined for six weeks, impacting Liverpool’s key matches

Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, is expected to be out of action for approximately six weeks after suffering a hamstring injury during a match in Istanbul on Tuesday night. The 33-year-old, who has had injury issues in recent seasons, will likely miss over a month and might not return until after the upcoming international break.

Despite this setback, Liverpool received good news regarding top scorer Hugo Ekitike, who also sustained an injury in the recent defeat against Galatasaray. Ekitike is optimistic about returning in time for Saturday’s match against Chelsea, as scans revealed no serious issues, and he could travel with the team.

In contrast, Alisson will be absent for the upcoming game against Chelsea, as well as critical fixtures against Manchester United on October 19, and the Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield on November 4. A significant Premier League encounter with Manchester City follows shortly after. The club’s recent injury history includes Alisson missing 20 league games over two seasons, prompting Liverpool to consider squad replacements, notably signing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia earlier this year.

During a recent match, Alisson was forced off after an injury in Istanbul, highlighting his vulnerability. Meanwhile, Federico Chiesa is expected to rejoin Juventus’ squad after missing a midweek European game due to a minor injury, and Giovanni Leoni recently underwent surgery for an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, commented on Alisson’s injury, stating, “If my player is on the ground, nine out of ten times I fear the worst, and with the worst, I mean he cannot continue. It’s never positive when a player goes off like this, so he will definitely miss Saturday’s game.”

Slot also shared that Ekitike’s injury was minor, and the striker is expected to feature against Chelsea, offering some relief to the Reds. The club hopes to turn their season around after two consecutive defeats, including a 2-1 loss at Crystal Palace. Liverpool will seek to rebound at Stamford Bridge to regain momentum in their campaign.