Liverpool Suffer Huge Injury Blow, Alisson Sidelined for Six Weeks

Liverpool have started the 2024/25 season in blistering form, topping the Premier League table after seven games. However, the Reds have suffered a massive injury blow. The ever-reliable Alisson Becker suffered a hamstring injury during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.

 The Brazilian was forced off the pitch in the 79th minute after clearing the ball in his own box. 23-year-old Vitezslav Jaros came on in his place to make his unexpected Liverpool debut, as second-choice keeper Caoimhin Kelleher missed the trip to Selhurst Park due to injury. The initial diagnoses were looking promising for Alisson and Liverpool, with Arne Slot even admitting that Alisson’s recovery is “going to take a few weeks.” However, now we know the exact extent of Alisson Becker’s injury. According to reliable Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, “Liverpool GK Alisson set to miss around six weeks after new tests results confirmed a hamstring injury, as expected. Alisson will not return until after the next international break in mid-November.”  

This means that Liverpool will be without their reliable shot-stopper for some key clashes. He will miss Liverpool’s crunch Premier League ties against Chelsea, Aston Villa, Brighton and Arsenal. Furthermore, the Brazilian will also be sidelined for Liverpool’s Champions League matches against RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen. While the Reds have made an impressive start under Arne Slot, their run-up gets significantly trickier after October’s international break. Therefore, it’s a huge blow that the Reds will be without Alisson for these tricky run of fixtures. However, Liverpool’s second choice keeper, Caoimhin Kelleher, has proved on several instances before that he can rise to the occasion. And Arne Slot also believes that Kelleher will come good in Alisson’s absence.  

 In a post-match interview following their 1-0 win at Selhurst Park, Slot said, “Alisson is our clear No 1. (He is) the best goalkeeper in the world so it's always a blow when he gets injured. But in almost every position we have a second option that is also really good. Caoimhin Kelleher has already shown that, so it's clear he's No 2. And it is very pleasing to see our third keeper - because Caom was sick yesterday - that he can have an impact on our results.” With Alisson out for the foreseeable future, Kelleher would now have the opportunity to get a consistent run of games between the posts for Liverpool. However, will he rise to the occasion?