Alisson sidelined as Liverpool prepare for Chelsea clash

Liverpool face a significant setback ahead of their Premier League showdown with Chelsea, with manager Arne Slot confirming that goalkeeper Alisson will be unavailable after picking up an injury in the midweek Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.

The 32-year-old Brazilian was forced off in the 56th minute in Istanbul after denying Victor Osimhen, who had earlier scored the game’s only goal. Alisson immediately signalled to the bench, limping away in visible discomfort before being replaced by summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Slot explained that the goalkeeper felt something while “sprinting back” and admitted the situation looked serious enough to rule him out of Saturday’s match at Stamford Bridge. “If my player is on the floor, nine out of 10 times I fear the worst,” Slot said. “It’s never positive if you go off like this. You can be sure he is not playing Saturday.”

Mamardashvili, who joined from Valencia for £29m in the summer, is set for his Premier League debut. The Georgian international impressed in La Liga last season with his shot-stopping and aerial command, and Liverpool will now lean on his presence in a key early-season fixture.

Injury concerns don’t end there for the Reds. Striker Hugo Ekitike, who has made an encouraging start since his £69m arrival, also hobbled off in the second half after overstretching for a ball. “Hugo felt something and said he couldn’t continue,” Slot revealed. “Let’s see how he is for the weekend.”

Alisson’s absence is a familiar headache for Liverpool supporters. The Brazilian missed 10 league matches last season with a hamstring problem, and his reliability has been questioned despite his reputation as one of the Premier League’s standout goalkeepers.

With Chelsea resurgent under new leadership, Liverpool’s trip to Stamford Bridge could prove an early test of Slot’s squad depth.

Stay tuned to Betway Arabia for the latest updates and expert sports coverage.