Liverpool will be without No 1 goalkeeper Alisson for around six weeks after scans proved the Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury at Crystal Palace.
The 32-year-old went down in pain in the second half of the Reds’ 1-0 win at Selhurst Park on Saturday and looked frustrated, immediately taking off his goalkeeper gloves and slamming them on the floor.
He underwent scans this week and results have shown a hamstring injury, as feared, and the goalkeeper will be on the sidelines until after the next international break in mid-November.
Alisson had already missed one league match this season with hamstring pain and he also sat out of a large chunk of the last campaign with injuries and illness.
It means Liverpool will be without their No 1 for their tricky seven-game run between the current and next international break.
Alisson has been ruled out action for around six weeks after sustaining a hamstring injury
Alisson went down clutching his hamstring late in the second half against Crystal Palace
Alisson had to be taken off and was consoled by a number of his Liverpool team-mates
That sees them host Chelsea, then travel to title rivals Arsenal, RB Leipzig and Brighton in the Carabao Cup. They then play the Seagulls at home in the league before hosting Xabi Alonso’s German champions Bayer Leverkusen and high-flying Aston Villa.
Though there is no specific target match for a return, the Reds’ trip to Southampton on November 24 could be a potential date to aim for.
Liverpool will put their trust in No 2 keeper Caoimhin Kelleher in this period. The Irish No 1 has publicly stated he might have left the club this summer but the Merseysiders stood firm and rejected approaches, including some late offers from Nottingham Forest.
Kelleher played 26 times last season and former Ireland international Richard Dunne this week said he believes he is ‘as good’ as Alisson.
Liverpool are currently sitting top of the Premier League table under new boss Arne Slot
They also have Czech international Viteszlaw Jaros, who won the Austrian League and Cup double at Sturm Graz on loan last season.
Liverpool also showed their long-term succession planning by signing Georgia No 1 Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia this summer, though he does not officially join the Anfield club until the end of this season.