Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp provided an update on the fitness of ahead of their Europa League clash with LASK.
Klopp disclosed that while the injury to his top goalkeeper, Alisson, was not as serious as initially thought, he would still be sidelined for several crucial matches.
Alisson sustained the injury during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Manchester City over the weekend, visibly holding his lower leg in injury time. Klopp expressed concern after the game and was uncertain about the goalkeeper’s return timeline.
Although Alisson’s recovery is expected to be quicker than initially feared, Klopp expressed a more pessimistic outlook for Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, who also picked up a knock in the match against City.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s Europa League clash with Austrian side LASK, Klopp said: “Both [Alisson and Jota] are out. Ali is a bit less [worrying]. It is day by day. He cannot play tomorrow—not on Sunday, probably not the week after. Not as bad, but bad enough. Diogo should take a little bit longer. We don’t know exactly how long, but it is more severe. We have to see.”
Alisson, regarded as one of the world’s best goalkeepers, faces a challenging period of absence, posing a potential setback to Liverpool’s pursuit of the title this season.
Despite this, there remains a hopeful prospect of his return for the crucial clash against rivals Manchester United on December 17.
The injury to Alisson opens a rare opportunity for Caoimhin Kelleher to showcase his skills as the goalkeeper for Liverpool in the Premier League. Although Kelleher has yet to make a league appearance for Liverpool, he has featured in three European matches.
However, Liverpool’s injury woes persist, with Jota and Alisson joining the list of absentees, including Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic, and Andy Robertson.
In their upcoming match against LASK, a victory would secure Liverpool’s qualification to the Europa League knockout stage.
Nevertheless, they are likely to face challenges in the Premier League games against Fulham, Sheffield United, and Crystal Palace, with the potential return of Alisson against Manchester United.