Alisson Faces Injury Doubt Ahead of Bournemouth Clash for Liverpool

Alisson Becker, the Brazilian goalkeeper for Liverpool, is facing an injury concern ahead of the team’s match against Bournemouth. Manager Arne Slot provided this update during a news conference on Friday.

Alisson has been instrumental for Liverpool, starting all four of their Premier League matches this season. He has helped secure three clean sheets and recently played a key role in Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League victory over AC Milan.

However, Slot made it clear that Alisson’s injury was an issue prior to the midweek match in Milan. “Alisson is still a doubt if he can train today. We have to wait and see,” Slot stated.

He added, “He has a slight issue with one of his muscles. We wonder if this game tomorrow is coming too early or not.” Despite performing well in recent matches, Alisson has been feeling discomfort since before the Milan game, which has intensified over time. “Now we have to see if he’s ready for the weekend,” Slot concluded.

In the lead-up to their Champions League opener, Alisson previously expressed concerns about the increasing demands placed on players in modern football. He remarked that “nobody asks the players what they think about adding more games,” highlighting the need for a more balanced schedule.

Slot, who joined Liverpool from Feyenoord this summer, addressed the differences in football schedules between the Netherlands and England. He noted, “Until now I haven’t seen anything different, but the Premier League has four extra games and the League Cup. From the start to now, we’ve played just as many games as at Feyenoord — that’s not an issue to me.”

He further emphasized the unique challenges faced in the Premier League, particularly the requirement to play during festive periods. “The quality of the league, of teams like Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth, is much higher than if you play in Eredivisie against teams not challenging for the top six,” he explained.

Slot acknowledged the importance of squad depth, understanding that the season is lengthy and requires rotation and fresh legs. “We are thinking about what’s to come, and we are aware that it’s a long season. We need a lot of players, so they also need once in a while playing time, and we take that into account when making a lineup,” he said.

One player who has found it difficult to secure game time this season is Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan forward has not yet started or scored for Liverpool this term. However, Slot was optimistic about Núñez’s performance as a substitute in the match against Milan, believing that the goals will follow. “He needs to do the same as all the others: work really hard, and the goals will come,” he stated.

Slot highlighted Núñez’s positive contribution against Milan, noting that when players perform well, it often results in goals or assists. “It happened with Cody [Gakpo], so if you play for a team like Liverpool, you’ll get those opportunities,” he remarked.

He also emphasized the significance of off-the-ball work for the forwards, stating, “For me, it’s the work you do without the ball. He will get his chance in the near future; we play a lot of games. He is fitter and fits into what we want from him more each day. But he’s in competition with Diogo [Jota], who has done well.” Slot’s comments reflect a commitment to maximizing the team’s potential while navigating the unique demands of their busy schedule.