Injury expert reveals the truth behind Alisson Becker’s latest Liverpool injury | OneFootball

Alisson’s Injury Sparks Fresh Concerns Over Sprinting Technique

Liverpool’s preparations for their Premier League showdown with Chelsea have been disrupted once again as Alisson Becker suffered another injury setback. The goalkeeper’s latest hamstring problem has reignited debate over the underlying cause of his recurring issues, with injury experts pointing towards flaws in his sprinting mechanics.

Sprinting flaw linked to hamstring strain

Alisson was withdrawn in the second half of Liverpool’s Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, forcing Arne Slot into another reshuffle at a critical stage of the season. The Dutch manager admitted he “feared the worst” when his No.1 went to ground chasing back to cover Victor Osimhen.

Injury specialist Sam Fell, speaking to Physio Scout, offered a technical breakdown of the incident, highlighting what he described as an ongoing issue in Alisson’s running style.

“One thing we like to see with sprinting technique is called swing leg retraction – where the leg is cast out and then rapidly extended at the hip, knee and ankle,” Fell explained. “If you study Alisson closely, you’ll notice he doesn’t execute this movement efficiently, if at all. Over time, that places greater strain on the hamstring, forcing it to work harder and in a less efficient way.”

Fell added that repeated injuries of this nature can exacerbate the problem: “Given his history of hamstring strains, there’s now a heightened risk. The research is clear – once you’ve had multiple muscle injuries, the likelihood of recurrence increases.”

Liverpool forced to adapt once more

The timing of this setback is particularly damaging for Liverpool. Slot is already dealing with the absence of forward Hugo Ekitike, who was also forced off in Istanbul, and now faces the prospect of being without his first-choice goalkeeper for a crucial clash against Chelsea.

That leaves summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili with the task of filling the void. The Georgian international has shown flashes of his quality, but stepping into Alisson’s role at such a pivotal moment is a significant challenge.

This is not a new dilemma for Liverpool. The Brazilian has endured a series of muscular problems in recent years, which has seen Caoimhin Kelleher make 46 appearances across the last two campaigns. It is a recurring theme that continues to unsettle the club’s defensive stability.

Long-term concerns around Alisson

Alisson, now 32, remains one of the finest goalkeepers in world football, but these persistent injuries raise questions about how long Liverpool can rely on him at his peak level. His performance in the recent defeat at Crystal Palace was hailed as outstanding by pundits such as Gary Lineker, yet such displays are becoming punctuated by spells on the sidelines.

The bigger picture for Liverpool is not only about coping in his absence, but also ensuring that the underlying issues are addressed to avoid this becoming a constant feature. For a side with ambitions of retaining their Premier League title, losing such an influential figure repeatedly could prove costly.

Key challenge for Arne Slot

Slot’s challenge now is twofold: managing his goalkeeper’s current absence and working with the club’s medical staff to develop a longer-term strategy to minimise future setbacks. Given the demands of the modern game, where goalkeepers are asked to operate as auxiliary sweepers, the physical strain is immense – but so too is the need for Liverpool to keep their defensive cornerstone fit.

The next few weeks will be telling. If Mamardashvili can rise to the occasion, Liverpool’s title hopes may remain intact. But until Alisson’s sprinting flaw is corrected and his injury record stabilises, questions will persist about whether the Reds can truly depend on their No.1 in the biggest moments.