Arne Slot has confirmed Alisson Becker is fit to start for Liverpool in their Champions League clash with Girona on Tuesday.
The Brazilian has traveled with the squad to Spain after returning to training in recent days, having been out since picking up a hamstring injury against Crystal Palace at the start of October.
Slot had previously confirmed that Alisson would make his return to the side this month, having made it clear that he would reclaim his No.1 spot from Caoimhin Kelleher. The Liverpool boss though did insist that no chances would be taken on his fitness, given his deputy’s form.
Alisson though looks as though he could make his return tomorrow against Girona, with Slot confirming that he is ready to start.
“I think it speaks for itself, if you can play with Alisson, who has been so outstanding for this club for so many years, and for the Brazil national team, that is definitely nice to have him back and have him available,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference.
“But, if you then look at how his replacement did, it’s not going to be easy to do it even better, so we expect definitely the same, and maybe on margins a bit better, but Caoimhin did so well that we can say we have two very good goalkeepers.
“For so many years, Alisson has been outstanding for the club that we are hoping and expecting him to do the same in the upcoming months.”
Alisson Becker has been named in Liverpool's squad to face Girona in the Champions League
Alisson Becker has been named in Liverpool's squad to face Girona in the Champions League (Image: Getty Images)
Having been given a rare weekend off following the postponement of Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton, Slot has hinted that he won’t make many changes to his side for tomorrow’s clash, despite Liverpool already being in a strong position to qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League.
He will be forced into at least one change from last week’s 3-3 draw at Newcastle, with Alexis Mac Allister out suspended, while Alisson looks like he could make his return in goal, but Slot doesn’t sound tempted to make many more adjustments.
“If we would have played that game, then maybe we would have still played the same team as we are playing tomorrow night, but then you never know what that fixture, that people told me can be quite intense, would have led to.
“I think it was a very good decision to cancel the game for the safety of all the people, and if you play such a special game like the last game at Goodison Park, it needs to be in good circumstances.
“Now everybody is really fit because we skipped the game on Saturday, so there’s no reason to rotate from the last match. Maybe there’s a reason for the upcoming match, but we will start with a very good team tomorrow.”