Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has played down fears that Alisson Becker’s injury might sideline him until Christmas, emphasizing the importance of the upcoming weeks without his first-choice goalkeeper.
Alisson sustained a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace prior to the international break.
Following a scan early last week, it was confirmed that the Brazil international is expected to be out until late November.
This absence means Alisson will miss several key fixtures in the coming weeks, including Sunday’s clash with Chelsea, a trip to Arsenal next weekend, as well as crucial Champions League matches against Bayer Leverkusen and RB Leipzig.
Despite the concerns, Slot dismissed speculation that the injury could extend into late December.
He also underlined the significance of this period for Liverpool, expressing confidence in how the team will perform without their star goalkeeper and viewing it as a defining phase for the season ahead under his guidance.
“It feels a long time before Christmas so I expect Ali to be back before Christmas, yeah,” Slot said.
“But you never know.
“It is always difficult to now how an injury will go in the in the first stages, so we can answer that question better in two or three weeks time. because you can always get setbacks.
“It’s not so much about the fixture list because I think Wolves away might be just as hard as Chelsea at home.
“Ask me this question after the game – but I think every away game is really tough and a home game gives you a bit of an advantage so all these games are difficult but what tells me most is – and I have said this many times also – is that it will be more interesting for me to see what is going to happen (playing both Champions League and Premier League fixtures).
Slot added: “Two years ago this club played in the Champions League and you know what the end result on the Premier League table was (fifth).
“I say this because then during the Champions League nights the Virgils (Van Dijk) and the Trents (Alexander-Arnold) and all of them played.
“Last season was a better season in the Premier League table but in the Europa League Trent and Virgil didn’t play so it was one game a week and playing one game a week is a big advantage compared to two games a week.
“So I am more curious to see how we handle the difficult Champions League games and then be ready for the weekend.
“I am so curious to see how we play against the better teams in the Premier League, but I think the main difference between Holland and England is that if PSV play the 18th team there is a gap but in England the gap between the No 1 team and the 18th is smaller.”
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