Liverpool shot-stopper Alisson will miss the Reds’ crunch Premier League clash with Manchester City in March.
Jurgen Klopp revealed that the Brazilian will remain absent with a muscle injury for a ‘foreseeable time’, and a further update places a more specific timeframe.
Alisson has missed Liverpool’s last two Premier League matches. The 31-year-old is one of a number of injuries suffered by Liverpool in a frustrating period for Klopp, whose side are top of the division in spite of their issues.
Brazil head coach Dorival Junior has now given a more detailed description of Alisson’s likely absence. It seems that the former Roma goalie will miss at least a month of action.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Junior has ruled Alisson out of Brazil’s friendlies against England and Spain on March 23 and 26, respectively. If the Liverpool star is indeed to remain absent for that long, it would rule him out of facing City on March 10.
It would be a crucial blow for Liverpool in such a big fixture. The Merseysiders are top of the Premier League on 57 points, with City second and only a point behind.
Their meeting at Anfield next month could therefore go a long way to deciding the title. Arsenal also remain in the mix on 55 points in the tightest title race in several years.
“It’s a muscle injury,” Klopp said of Alisson at the weekend.
”We don’t know exactly how long it takes but definitely won’t be back for the foreseeable time.”
Caoimhin Kelleher is a suitable back-up for Liverpool and will start Sunday’s Carabao Cup final should he get through Wednesday’s clash with Luton unscathed. Klopp may fear the worst having seen several of his players suffer injuries in recent weeks.
The German could be without a staggering 10 first-team players for Luton’s visit to Anfield.
Mohamed Salah became the latest doubt for the game after feeling discomfort, although Liverpool hope that his issue is merely the result of a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury.
Klopp said of Salah: “It is day by day with Mo. It’s a similar area where he feels it a little bit. We have to see how it develops. It’s nothing crazy, we have to see.”
Salah made a scoring return in Liverpool’s 4-1 win over Brentford on Saturday. It was his first Premier League appearance since December 31, owing to the Africa Cup of Nations as the hamstring problem he suffered while playing for Egypt at the tournament.
Diogo Jota was carried off against Brentford, while Curtis Jones hobbled off. Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Thiago, Stefan Bajcetic and Joel Matip have been ruled out.
Darwin Nunez is a doubt after coming off against Brentford at half-time, although that move was likely precautionary.
