Liverpool manager Arne Slot is confident that Alisson Becker will shake off a thigh injury in time to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot is confident that Alisson Becker will shake off a thigh injury in time to face Wolverhampton Wanderers in Saturday’s Premier League clash.
The Brazilian has been unavailable for the Reds’ last two matches against Bournemouth and West Ham United due to his muscular problem, which he suffered before last week’s Champions League success at AC Milan.
Alisson had hurt himself before that 3-1 victory at San Siro, but he exacerbated the problem while playing the full 90 in that clash and was therefore forced to cede the gloves to his backup Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Irishman – who has openly voiced his desire to be a number one – made a couple of crucial saves to keep a clean sheet against Bournemouth, before also starting in the 5-1 EFL Cup crushing of the Irons.
Slot has been signing Kelleher’s praises since the number two returned in between the sticks, but the Liverpool boss is expecting to have Alisson back in the ranks for this weekend’s trip to Wolves.
Slot talks up Kelleher qualities despite Alisson return
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Asked for an update on Alisson’s fitness in Friday’s pre-game press conference, Slot replied: “We think he is [ready to play]. He trained yesterday a part of our session with the group, so we’re expecting him to do the whole session today. So, we think he is available but of course we have to train today.
“And of course we’re really happy with Alisson being back but I want to emphasise the fact that Caoimhin [Kelleher] did really well in the two games he was in goal for us, so another example of me having two, and I think even three, good options in certain positions.”
With Alisson back in the ranks at Molineux, Liverpool’s only absentee for the clash with Gary O’Neil‘s side should be Harvey Elliott, who is still on the long road to recovery from a foot fracture.
After making an abundance of changes for the midweek win over West Ham, Slot is expected to revert to his strongest XI for the meeting with Wolves, even with a Champions League clash against Bologna to come on Wednesday.
Among the players to return will be Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose uncertain contract situations continue to provide an unwelcome distraction for Slot.
Slot responds to Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold contract question
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All three can walk away for free in 2025 and enter pre-contract talks with foreign clubs in January as things stand, although it is believed that the trio are open to signing new deals at Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold dropped a major hint this week that he would be willing to sign a renewal if Liverpool could match his silverware ambitions, but Slot was quintessentially tight-lipped when asked for an update on Friday.
“I’m very happy that these players are in my team at the moment. There’s a lot of games this season and in the upcoming weeks, let’s see what happens in the future,” Slot added.
Liverpool head to Molineux just one point and one place worse off than leaders Manchester City in the table, while Wolves remain winless after five games with just one point to show for their efforts.
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