Liverpool's Injury Woes Deepen as Alisson Faces Critical Fitness Deadline
Liverpool's Premier League campaign suffered another setback on Saturday as they fell to a 2-1 defeat against Brighton, a match that highlighted growing injury concerns within the squad. Most notably, goalkeeper Alisson Becker was absent from the lineup, raising questions about his availability for the upcoming crucial Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
Alisson's Hamstring Issues Persist
Manager Arne Slot confirmed post-match that Alisson is embroiled in a fitness race ahead of the European showdown. The Brazilian shot-stopper has been plagued by hamstring problems throughout the season, which previously caused him to miss the first leg of Liverpool's last-16 tie against Galatasaray. Although he returned for the 4-0 victory over the Turkish side at Anfield just days before the Brighton clash, he was once again sidelined for the trip to the south coast.
In a social media update on Saturday morning, Alisson himself acknowledged the setback, stating: "Unfortunately I will be out of action for a while. Already working hard to be back stronger! Thank you for the support." Slot elaborated further, indicating that the goalkeeper will definitely miss the upcoming international break, with his return timeline remaining uncertain. "Alisson will definitely be out during the international break. Let's see afterwards," Slot told reporters.
Mamardashvili Steps In Amid Defensive Struggles
With Alisson unavailable, Giorgi Mamardashvili deputised between the posts against Brighton. The Georgian goalkeeper, who joined from Valencia in the summer, has now made 13 appearances this season and is no stranger to filling in for his injured teammate. However, he was unable to prevent Danny Welbeck from scoring twice, as Liverpool's defensive frailties were exposed in a lacklustre performance.
The defeat leaves Liverpool in a precarious position in the league, with Slot emphasising the importance of every remaining match. "The players, the fans, we all know there's only eight games to go to qualify for the Champions League," he said in an interview with TNT Sports. "Every game you have to miss is something you're upset about."
Additional Injury Blows for the Reds
Liverpool's injury troubles extended beyond Alisson during the Brighton match. Mohamed Salah was already ruled out due to injury, and striker Hugo Ekitike was forced off early following a collision with James Milner. Fortunately, Slot provided some positive news regarding Ekitike's condition post-match, describing it as a dead leg rather than a long-term issue. "Hugo could play tomorrow if he had to," Slot reassured. "It was a dead leg. It was a collision that led to him going off. It was not helpful."
Meanwhile, summer signing Alexander Isak remains on the sidelines, though Slot expressed optimism about his potential involvement against PSG. "Alex will be available [for PSG], yes," Slot stated on Friday. However, he tempered expectations by noting that Isak has not yet trained with the team after seven or eight months out, suggesting his contribution may be limited to minutes rather than a full return to peak form.
Looking Ahead to Critical Fixtures
Liverpool's immediate focus shifts to a demanding schedule, with an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City on April 4, followed by the first leg of their Champions League tie against PSG just five days later. The absence of key players like Alisson could prove pivotal in these high-stakes encounters, as the team seeks to salvage their season amid mounting injury concerns.
The defeat to Brighton, characterised by a lack of creativity and defensive lapses, underscores the challenges Slot faces in managing a depleted squad. With Mamardashvili likely to continue in goal and other players nursing knocks, Liverpool's depth will be tested in the coming weeks as they battle on multiple fronts.
