Liverpool Head coach Arne Slot has delivered significant updates on the fitness of Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike, with the goalkeeper ruled out for a lengthy period and the striker potentially returning sooner than first feared.
The news comes at a challenging time for the Premier League champions, who are looking to bounce back from a frustrating 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League. That match saw both Alisson and Ekitike forced off with injuries, sparking concern among supporters ahead of a crucial Premier League showdown with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Alisson was substituted during the first half in Istanbul and underwent scans on Thursday which confirmed a hamstring injury. Initial assessments indicate the Brazilian could be out for around six weeks a timeline that would see him miss up to eight fixtures, taking him beyond the November international break.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday morning, Slot confirmed his No.1 goalkeeper will not feature this weekend and cast doubt over an early return.
“Alisson is not part of the squad tomorrow and won’t travel to Brazil as well with the national team,” Slot explained. “He will be out for Saturday.”
When pressed further on the severity of the issue, Slot was cautious about setting a fixed recovery schedule.
“That depends on how fast a recovery goes,” he said. “It’s clear that he’s not here Saturday, not going to play for Brazil and I would be surprised if he would be there for the first game after the international break.”
Alisson’s absence is particularly worrying because of his history with muscular problems. Since arriving at Liverpool in 2018, the 31-year-old has missed several spells through hamstring injuries, particularly during the congested winter months. Slot was asked directly about the recurring nature of these issues.
“I’m not a doctor, so I cannot tell you if it’s the same every time,” he said. “What I’m mainly interested in is if he can play at the weekend and how long it will take. There are other people in the club who can give you a better answer to that.”
With Alisson sidelined, summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to start in goal against Chelsea. The Georgian international joined from Valencia in the summer, a year after the deal was initially agreed, and impressed on his debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup.
Slot expressed confidence in his backup goalkeeper:
“We knew we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper,” he said. “When he plays his first game, it’s the best way of seeing if he’s adjusted well or not, and we saw against Southampton he adjusted really well to our club — which isn’t a surprise as he is a quality goalkeeper.”
He added: “Now he can do what Caoimh (Kelleher) has had to do so many times in the past by replacing Ali. It’s a big responsibility, but he’s ready for it.”
Freddie Woodman will provide cover from the bench, while Mamardashvili prepares for a potentially crucial run of matches as Liverpool navigate a packed fixture schedule without their first-choice goalkeeper.
There was at least some brighter news for Liverpool fans on Hugo Ekitike. The French forward, who was also withdrawn during the Galatasaray defeat, appears to have avoided serious injury and could return sooner than initially feared.
While Slot stopped short of confirming Ekitike’s availability for Saturday’s match, he revealed the striker had resumed training ahead of the Chelsea clash.
“Hugo is going to train again today and the same can be said for Federico,” Slot confirmed. “It’s a positive sign, but we’ll have to see how he reacts to the session before making any decisions.”
Ekitike’s return would be a significant boost for Slot, especially during a period when squad depth is being tested by injuries and a congested fixture list. Liverpool’s attacking rhythm has occasionally faltered in recent games, and the 23-year-old’s pace and movement could provide a valuable option if he’s deemed fit to feature.
The press conference underlined the balancing act Slot faces as Liverpool attempt to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions. Losing Alisson for six weeks is a major blow, but the club will hope Mamardashvili can replicate the Brazilian’s composure and shot-stopping ability during a decisive stretch of the season.
The absence of Alisson will undoubtedly be a test of Liverpool’s squad depth and defensive organisation. However, the positive developments regarding Ekitike offer a glimmer of encouragement at a time when momentum is needed.
Meanwhile, Ekitike’s quicker-than-expected return provides a welcome lift as the Reds prepare for a high-stakes encounter with Chelsea, followed by a run of fixtures that could shape their title defence.
