Arne Slot has delivered unexpected news, revealing that Alisson Becker is a doubt for Liverpool’s weekend fixture against Bournemouth, with Caoimhin Kelleher ready to step up.
Alisson, who has been ever-present for Liverpool this season – including their midweek match against AC Milan – could miss Saturday’s 3pm kickoff due to a tight hamstring.
Slot shared the surprise update during his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Should Alisson Becker be unavailable, Kelleher will be drafted in for his first appearance of the campaign, earlier than expected with a Carabao Cup tie against West Ham scheduled for Wednesday.
The Irish shot-stopper featured prominently in pre-season while Alisson was on international duty at the Copa America, impressing as he adapted well to Slot’s tactical demands.
Last season, Kelleher made more appearances than in all previous campaigns combined, stepping in during Alisson’s extended absence due to a hamstring injury, as well as a muscle issue and illness.
Alisson Becker has been in excellent form this season, conceding only two goals in five matches and keeping three clean sheets.
He shares the top spot for clean sheets in the Premier League with Arsenal’s David Raya.
Slot told his pre-match press conference: “Alisson is still a doubt if he can train today, so let’s wait [to see] if he can train.
“Then, if he can’t then he will probably not play as well, so we have to wait and see.
“Apart from Harvey Elliott, [there are no other injuries].”
Asked about the nature of the issue Alisson has sustained, Slot added: “He has a slight issue with one of his muscles and we wonder if this game tomorrow is coming too early or not.
“I think he did not take it from the Milan game, it happened a bit before, but after the Milan game he felt more and more.
“Now we have to wait see if he is ready to be in goal tomorrow, or we have to wait a few more extra days.”
Harvey Elliott remains the only absentee, which means Dominik Szoboszlai is likely to be retained in midfield.
Arne Slot said on September 13: “Harvey is of course a big disappointment for him but not only for him, also for us because OK, he didn’t play that much in the first three games but he played a lot in pre-season and he showed himself really well so, of course, if he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures.
“But now he isn’t [fit] and that also gives the chance to someone else.
“So it is, first and foremost, a blow for himself, and then also for us because I think availability is important in the stage of the season when we play seven games in 22 days, I think.
“So, it’s a blow for the both of us but he will work as hard as always to come back in the best possible way.
“He didn’t stay fit unfortunately so he is out for a longer time.”
Arne Slot is expected to rotate the squad more during the third-round tie against West Ham in midweek.
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