Arne Slot confirms Liverpool are set for huge injury boost | OneFootball

Alisson Becker Nears Crucial Liverpool Return Under Arne Slot

Liverpool are poised for a significant lift as Alisson Becker edges closer to his comeback. The timing could help stabilise a squad that has operated without their first-choice goalkeeper since late September, a period that has provided both resilience and uncertainty for Arne Slot’s Premier League champions.

Context Around Alisson’s Layoff

Alisson’s injury occurred during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League, when the Brazilian left the pitch clutching his hamstring. Since then he has missed seven consecutive fixtures in all competitions, along with Sunday’s league encounter away at Manchester City. His omission from the Brazil squad for meetings with Senegal and Tunisia underlines the seriousness of the rehabilitation phase.

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Slot offered clarity during his pre-match briefing before the Manchester City trip. He confirmed that Liverpool expect their goalkeeper to return after the international window, with Nottingham Forest’s visit to Anfield on 22 November marked as the likely moment. Slot explained: “Alisson for sure and I expect Jeremie [Frimpong] back after the international break as well because we play from November until March! But I do not expect Jeremie to be fully fit for Forest, but with Alisson we expect this.”

Interim Solutions and Squad Dynamics

Giorgi Mamardashvili has been the immediate beneficiary of Alisson’s spell on the sidelines. The Georgian has featured in six of the past seven matches and delivered two clean sheets against Aston Villa and Real Madrid. Before that, he found shutouts harder to come by against Chelsea, Manchester United, Eintracht Frankfurt and Brentford. Freddie Woodman, a summer arrival, made his debut in the Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace, giving Slot further depth in the rotation.

Even with useful contributions from Mamardashvili, there is little ambiguity about the hierarchy once Alisson is ready. The Brazilian remains one of the most influential figures in Liverpool’s spine and his command of the penalty area has long been integral to the team’s structure in and out of possession. For Mamardashvili, Sunday’s clash at the Etihad is both a responsibility and an audition, although the long term battle for the starting role will tilt strongly once Alisson’s fitness is confirmed.

Momentum Ahead of the Season’s Demands

Liverpool’s schedule intensifies rapidly after the break, a stretch of fixtures that will shape their defence of the Premier League title won in Slot’s debut campaign. Bringing Alisson back into the fold not only restores experience but also reintroduces the calm distribution and positional assurance that define Liverpool’s build up play. As the club transitions into a period packed with domestic and European commitments, Slot will welcome the return of a key leader whose presence often narrows margins in tightly balanced matches.