Liverpool manager Arne Slott is “hopeful” that first-choice shot-stopper Alisson Becker will be available for Sunday’s game against relegation-chasing Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield. However, the Dutch manager cannot guarantee whether the Reds’ number one, who suffered a muscle injury in training, will be able to return to first-team duty in a timely manner for the Mother’s Day match.
Slot reserve goalkeeper Giorgi Mamadashvili was between the posts in Tuesday night’s Champions League match against Galatasaray, but the Georgian international must be ready to feature again if Alisson misses today’s (Friday) full-squad training. Asked about the Brazilian’s fitness during Friday morning’s pre-match media briefing, Slott said: “He’s been to the physiotherapist and the rehabilitation facility so far and he’s been training today, so let’s see if he can participate today. That’s what I’m hoping for, but I’m not 100% sure yet. I haven’t talked to him. I’m hopeful.”
Looking further into the exact details of Alisson’s injury, Slott added: “He felt something in one of his muscles when he passed the ball, but we checked and it was very minor, so we don’t think it will last too long, but as usual the game moves quickly so he had to miss the game against Galatasaray. Hopefully he will be available and ready for Sunday.”
“If not, if everything goes according to plan, we are definitely expecting him against Galatasaray (Wednesday).”
The Liverpool manager also provided an update on the fitness of Federico Chiesa, who missed the Istanbul trip due to illness, and Alexander Isak, who has been out for a long period due to injury.
Coach Slott said of Chiesa, “I think he’s feeling better now. He wasn’t feeling well the day before the game, and we’re three or four days away from the game, so I think we can train together today as well.”
Isak’s prognosis was quite long after he broke his foot scoring a goal in a comeback game against his opponents on Sunday in December (a game the Reds won 2-1). He won’t be able to return to action for at least a few more weeks.
“(Issac) is still in the rehabilitation team and has not returned to the team yet,” Slott added.
