Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker during a training session at the AXA Training Centre
Alisson is fit again after his latest injury layoff
Arne Slot revealed Alisson Becker is fit to return - but challenged him to match the brilliance of Caoimhin Kelleher.
The Liverpool No.1 has missed 11 games with a hamstring injury but Kelleher has deputised to help ensure the Reds’ flying start to the season continued. The Irish stand-in keeper may feel hard done by to lose his place but Alisson could be given minutes tonight against Girona to get him back to full fitness ahead of the festive period.
When asked if Alisson is fit to return, Slot said: “Yes he is. It speaks for itself. If you can play with Alisson, who has been so outstanding for the club for so many years and for Brazil national team, that is definitely nice to have him back.
“But if you then look at how his replacement did it is not going to be easy to do even better. We expect the same, and maybe on margins a bit better but Caoimh did so well we can say we have two good goalkeepers, like our left wingers, but for so many years Alisson has been so outstanding for this club.
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“We are expecting him to do the same over the next few months.” Liverpool can secure their top eight spot in this revamped Champions League format with a win tonight in Spain.
They have won all five games so far and finishing in the top eight means they don’t have a play-off round in February and instead go into the last-16. If they finish top of the table then they will also be seeded for the draw but Slot is unsure how it will all play out with it being the format’s debut in the competition.
He explained: “I've said many times you can judge it at the end of the season in the best possible way. Is it helpful to end up first eight, it is helpful to end up number one? If in the end it means by playing starters always and skipping the next round and still have a very difficult draw then maybe we will think about it differently next season what we will do in the group stage.
“That is something we have to wait and see at the end of the season where it will lead us.” Federico Chiesa missed the trip to Girona with illness. Alexis Mac Allister has also not made the trip as he is suspended after collecting three yellow cards in Europe.
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