Arn Slott spoke about Alisson’s future. (Image: Getty Images)
Manager Arne Slott has admitted that Liverpool may have to make an important decision regarding the departure of Alisson Becker this summer amid heightened speculation regarding the goalkeeper. Alisson has emerged as a priority target for Juventus, with reports emerging from Italy this week suggesting the Brazil international is set to hold talks with the Serie A giants at the weekend.
Liverpool recently triggered a clause extending the 33-year-old’s contract by a further year, a move aimed at preventing the shot-stopper from leaving on a free transfer at the end of the season. Alisson is suffering increasingly from a hamstring problem and is expected to miss Saturday’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace, while Freddie Woodman is set to make his first top-flight start since 2021 after substitute Giorgi Mamadashvili is absent with an injury.
Liverpool are already gearing up for another major squad shake-up in the next transfer window, with veterans Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah both heading for the exits.
Asked if the club could afford to lose another experienced person, Slott said: “I think the club operates a certain way and I think we make decisions that the club thinks are in the best interest of the club. And that could be the reason for that. It could mean another discussion as to why we did what we did.”
“I think if you look at the history of transfers, you’ll see that nothing has ever been done without purpose or thought.
“Look, the people making these decisions are taking everything into account. They are trying to make the best decision in the interests of the club.
“That (experience) is definitely one of the arguments to keep him, but there are other arguments as well. If that is necessary, it is a decision that the club has to make. At the end of the day, he still has a year left.”
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With back-to-back wins in the Premier League, Liverpool need nine points from their remaining five games to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
But Slott refuses to assess the success or failure of these achievements, believing that the challenging task remains unfinished.
“Once you qualify, you want to talk a lot about it, but it’s not as easy as people think at the moment, because for so long people have had doubts, doubts, doubts, and now all of a sudden people think it’s ‘job done,’ which is never the case,” he said.
Arne Slott has confirmed Alisson could leave Liverpool. (Image: Getty Images)
“Two weeks ago we were in a very difficult situation, but now two weeks later we are in a good situation. That means things could be different in two weeks’ time in this Premier League.”
“We all know Palace is difficult, we all know how difficult United are away, we all know Chelsea, Villa are away and Brentford are going. So it’s a tough list of games, but everyone has a tough list of games because every game is tough.”
Palace have already beaten the Reds in the Community Shield, League Cup and in a league match at Selhurst Park and could make history by becoming the first team to beat Liverpool four times in a season.
But Slott explained how the dramatic nature of last Sunday’s derby win at Everton injected new energy into the atmosphere at the training ground.
“I think we had some big moments where we had setbacks straight after that, getting 3-2 at Leeds and 2-1 at Fulham were big moments, but then we either ended up with a draw or got a big win and then immediately after that we had a couple of injuries again,” he said.
“Unfortunately, it happened against Everton as well, where we had some great moments and were able to celebrate with the fans and had some great interactions, but Giorgi Mamadashvili was absent.
“But I think we all felt the positive vibes around the club this week. I wouldn’t say it’s the first time this season, but it hasn’t been as many times this season as we would have hoped.”
“We have to bring that momentum to Crystal Palace. We can bring positivity into the game, but it doesn’t win the game itself. We have to do a lot of things right against Crystal Palace because they are one of the most difficult teams to play against.”
