Alisson injury: Liverpool goalkeeper doubtful for Bournemouth clash as Arne Slot delivers update

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Evening Standard

·20 September 2024

Alisson injury: Liverpool goalkeeper doubtful for Bournemouth clash as Arne Slot delivers update

Brazilian could miss Anfield meeting with deputy Caoimhin Kelleher on standby

Reds boss Arne Slot revealed at his pre-match press conference held on Friday morning that the Brazilian international has a minor muscle problem and it remained to be seen if he would be able to train ahead of the weekend fixture at Anfield.

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If he can’t take part in a final session at Kirkby on Friday, then deputy Caoimhin Kelleher looks set to start against the Cherries on Merseyside instead.

Liverpool have no other fresh injury concerns to contend with ahead of the top-flight visit of Andoni Iraola’s side, though midfielder Harvey Elliott is still sidelined with a fractured foot.

Doubt: Alisson could miss Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Bournemouth at Anfield

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“Alisson is still a doubt if he can train today, so let’s wait [to see] if he can train,” Slot told reporters. “Then, if he can’t then he will probably not play as well, so we have to wait and see.

“He has a slight issue with one of his muscles and we are wondering if this game tomorrow comes too early or not. He didn’t take it from the Milan game, it happened a bit before.

“But after the Milan game he felt it more and more and now we have to wait and see if he’s ready to be in goal tomorrow or we have to wait a few more extra days. Apart from Harvey Elliott, [there are no other injuries].”

Alisson has started all five of Liverpool’s opening games of the season across all competitions, including Tuesday night’s 3-1 win over AC Milan in their first match of the new-look Champions League at the San Siro.

However, while he completed another full 90 minutes in Italy in midweek, it appears that he aggravated a pre-existing muscle problem in the process that has left him a doubt to face Bournemouth.

Kelleher has yet to be anything other than an unused substitute so far this season under new boss Slot, but the Republic of Ireland international has deputised for Alisson plenty in the past, making 26 appearances in total last term during Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign at the helm including 16 across the Europa League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup as Liverpool’s first-choice option in the cups.

He also made 10 Premier League appearances in 2023/24, the bulk of which came after Alisson suffered a serious hamstring injury in training in February.