Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker was a surprise omission from the Brazil squad during the September/October international break, with Carlo Ancelotti opting to drop the Reds shot-stopper along with a number of senior internationals following a disappointing showing at the 2026 World Cup.
Alisson had been an ever-present for Brazil as they suffered a shock round-of-16 exit to Norway. When international football returned this month, Ancelotti chose to look to the future, though he did not shut the door entirely on the Liverpool goalkeeper returning as his number one.
Ancelotti's Explanation
“We are motivated by the fact that we have time to prepare for a new cycle and get ready for the upcoming competitions,” Ancelotti explained. “That doesn't mean the others are excluded. We know Alisson very well, and when the competitions - like the Copa America - come, if he remains being the best goalkeeper in Brazil, Alisson will play. Right now, however, we have to prioritise the younger ones.”
“I chose these players - Marquinhos, Gabriel [Magalhaes], Bruno [Guimaraes], Raphinha, and Vini Jr. - to help with this change in direction. They are crucial for the future. We are confident in their commitment to quality, seriousness and professionalism, and they will help the younger players improve. That doesn't mean other players won't be involved.”
“We prioritised younger players for these friendlies to gather more precise information on everyone. It is possible that, by the time we reach the competitions, players not on this list today could be on the final squad. One thing is certain: a player who is 34 or 35 years old isn't the future; they are the present. If a player of that age is ready to play in a major tournament, they will be in the national squad.”
Alisson's Form and Injury History
Despite his international absence, Alisson has been in good form for Liverpool so far this season. An ever-present in the Premier League and Champions League, he has kept clean sheets in his last three English top-flight outings and was nominated for save of the month after denying Evanilson with a fine reflex save in the Reds’ 1-0 win over Bournemouth.
His return between the sticks has been most-welcome, having missed a significant proportion of last season. The 33-year-old sat out 19 games with hamstring injuries at various points across the campaign, only returning for the Reds’ final game of the season. His comeback came after his latest stint on the sidelines lasted 10 matches as Liverpool were knocked out of both Champions League and FA Cup without him, while also stumbling to a fifth-place Premier League finish.
He could have called time on his Reds career in the summer amid interest from Juventus, only for Liverpool to insist they wanted the Brazilian to stay put. Now inside the final year of his contract, it remains to be seen if he will be offered an extension, with his future one thing incoming sporting director Julian Ward will need to resolve.
Break Activities and Return
During the break, Alisson enjoyed a brief trip to Venice with his wife, Natalia, who shared pictures of the pair on holiday on her Instagram page, writing: “24 hours in Venice, with him”. She also shared pictures of them working together in the gym on her Instagram story.
Iraola afforded his non-internationals some time off at the start of the break, but they will soon return to work at the AXA Training Centre. “We will still train, but it's true that we are training with four or five players because most of the team is playing with the national team,” he revealed after beating Bournemouth. “The players will have now some days off and then we will keep working with the ones that stay. Then we will prepare well for when the others come and you have no more than three days probably to prepare for the [Manchester] City game. We are ready not just for that game, but for the run of games that we have that is going to be demanding.”
Alisson will return fit, refreshed and raring to go as Liverpool look to maintain their unbeaten start under Iraola against their old title-foes. While his future beyond this season might remain uncertain, if he can remain free of injury, it will go a long way to silencing any possible doubts about offering the long-serving goalkeeper a contract extension. And if Ancelotti continues to spare him international duty, there will be no complaints from the red half of Merseyside with such a decision doing Alisson’s chances of an Anfield stay no harm.
