Alisson Becker is not expected to make his return for Liverpool’s trip to Southampton on Sunday, with head coach Arne Slot also casting doubt on the goalkeeper’s availability for Wednesday’s Champions League clash against Real Madrid.
The Brazil international has been sidelined for the past seven matches after suffering a hamstring injury during the 1-0 win at Crystal Palace on October 5.
In his absence, Caoimhin Kelleher has stepped in admirably, helping Liverpool secure six wins and a 2-2 draw at Arsenal in the last seven matches.
This impressive run has seen the Reds rise to the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League standings.
Vitezslav Jaros also got a run out in place of Kelleher during the 3-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on October 30, a result that secured Liverpool’s spot in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals against Southampton in December.
After returning to team training earlier this week, Alisson Becker is edging closer to a comeback, though he is not yet ready to play.
Speaking to the media on Friday morning at the AXA Centre to preview Sunday’s game against the Saints, Slot provided an update on the condition of the 32-year-old goalkeeper, stating: “Alisson? We’re careful with everyone when it comes to muscle injuries.
“He is back in training with goalkeeper coach and not training with the team but that is expected soon.
“Let’s wait and see where he is in terms of match fitness, getting better and better but not ready.”
Slot also confirmed that neither Alisson nor Diogo Jota will be fit for Wednesday’s Champions League home clash against Madrid.
He said: “For next week?
“We’ll have to wait and see because the last week is always tricky because it’s isolated training and then to group sessions so it is difficult to judge.
“So I cannot say it will one or two or three days. Alisson and Jota, I don’t expect them to be fit for that game (against Real Madrid), Trent (Alexander-Arnold) we will see.”
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