Physio reveals the real reason behind Alisson’s Liverpool hamstring injuries | OneFootball

Alisson’s Hamstring Troubles: A Growing Concern for Liverpool

Liverpool’s dependable Brazilian, Alisson Becker, has long been regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in world football. Yet his ongoing battle with hamstring injuries has increasingly become a worrying subplot to his career, according to Gregg Evans in the Athletic. Once a moment that sent shivers through supporters, his recurring setbacks now draw weary sighs rather than sharp intakes of breath.

Persistent Fitness Woes

Since joining Liverpool from Roma in 2018, Alisson has missed around 14 per cent of the club’s Premier League matches — a significant figure for a player of such influence. His hamstring issues, in particular, have been relentless. Over the past three years alone, he has endured five separate incidents, each one threatening to disrupt the rhythm of his game and the balance of the team.

The latest blow came during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray, where the 33-year-old pulled up abruptly after chasing back towards goal. It was a moment all too familiar to fans who have seen this story unfold repeatedly. The expected recovery time stands at roughly six weeks, though the club has yet to confirm a specific return date.

Liverpool’s medical department, led by a meticulous performance team, has worked extensively to manage Alisson’s workload. However, his age and history of injuries make the challenge a complex one. Despite all the preventative measures in place, hamstring strains remain stubbornly unpredictable.

Understanding Alisson’s Injury Pattern

Goalkeepers typically avoid the sort of high-intensity sprints that expose outfield players to hamstring damage, but Alisson’s proactive style bucks the trend. His command of space beyond the penalty area and his quick off-the-line reactions increase the strain on his muscles.

Sports physiotherapists have speculated that his unique movement patterns may contribute to the issue. One explained that his running technique lacks sufficient “swing leg retraction” — the rapid backward motion of the leg that helps absorb sprinting forces efficiently. As a result, his hamstrings may be overcompensating, leading to repeated fatigue and microtears.

Experts also note that once a player suffers a major hamstring injury, recurrence becomes far more likely. Age compounds that risk. Factors such as muscle structure, biomechanics, and training intensity all influence recovery — and even the most carefully managed rehabilitation programmes can’t guarantee full protection.

Impact on Liverpool’s Plans

Liverpool anticipated potential injury concerns last summer by signing Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £25 million. The move was strategic — both a nod to succession planning and an insurance policy against Alisson’s fitness record.

Manager Arne Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes were also careful to retain Vitezslav Jaros as a backup option rather than loan him out. Their caution has proved justified, with the Czech goalkeeper now likely to feature more prominently in Alisson’s absence.

For Liverpool, the timing is far from ideal. Key fixtures against Manchester United, Real Madrid and Manchester City loom on the horizon. Yet the club’s experience in managing long-term injuries will be crucial as they attempt to balance short-term results with the player’s long-term wellbeing.

What Lies Ahead

Medical specialists suggest that the key to preventing further setbacks lies in detailed imaging and precise diagnosis. Static MRI scans, while useful, don’t always capture the dynamic nature of a goalkeeper’s movement. Combining ultrasound technology with functional analysis can offer a more complete picture of muscle health and recovery progress.

As one surgeon specialising in hamstring injuries pointed out, “Once you suffer repeated damage, it becomes vital to restore full tendon strength before returning to play. Underestimating the severity can lead to a cycle of breakdown and recurrence.”

Despite these challenges, Alisson’s professionalism and mental resilience remain undiminished. His style — sweeping, explosive and brave — is fundamental to Liverpool’s defensive structure. Altering it would mean changing what makes him world-class.

Ultimately, though, age and the demands of modern football make complete freedom from injuries unlikely. Alisson will continue to adapt, guided by Liverpool’s medical team, but his story serves as a reminder that even elite athletes are not immune to the passage of time.