Alisson Becker has been a regular for Brazil throughout his international career, but the Liverpool goalkeeper has been dropped from the squad for the September/October international break as he enters the final year of his Anfield contract
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper #01 Alisson Becker
Liverpool's Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson Becker(Image: Getty Images)
Alisson Becker has been experiencing an unusual international break this month.
The Liverpool shot-stopper has been Brazil's preferred goalkeeper throughout much of his international tenure, initially securing the position when he made his debut in October 2015.
He has since earned 83 caps for his nation and lifted the 2019 Copa America trophy. At times he has rotated with long-standing rival Ederson Moraes. Yet for most of the last ten years, only fitness issues have prevented him from guarding Brazil's net.
However, circumstances shifted this month when Carlo Ancelotti decided to omit the Reds' custodian alongside several established internationals following a disappointing campaign at the 2026 World Cup, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Alisson had featured in every match for Brazil as they endured an unexpected last-16 elimination at the hands of Norway. When international fixtures resumed this month, Ancelotti chose to focus on emerging talent - although he hasn't completely ruled out the Liverpool goalkeeper reclaiming his starting berth.
"We are motivated by the fact that we have time to prepare for a new cycle and get ready for the upcoming competitions," he stated. "That doesn't mean the others are excluded.
"We know Alisson very well, and when the competitions - like the Copa America - come, if he remains being the best goalkeeper in Brazil, Alisson will play. Right now, however, we have to prioritise the younger ones.
"I chose these players - Marquinhos, Gabriel [Magalhaes], Bruno [Guimaraes], Raphinha, and Vini Jr. - to help with this change in direction. They are crucial for the future.
"We are confident in their commitment to quality, seriousness and professionalism, and they will help the younger players improve. That doesn't mean other players won't be involved.
"We prioritized younger players for these friendlies to gather more precise information on everyone. It is possible that, by the time we reach the competitions, players not on this list today could be on the final squad.
"One thing is certain: a player who is 34 or 35 years old isn't the future; they are the present. If a player of that age is ready to play in a major tournament, they will be in the national squad."
Brazil are set to take the pitch for the first time during the extended September/October international window on Tuesday when they meet Australia, before facing India the following Saturday in two international friendlies. Additional friendlies against Japan and Singapore are pencilled in for November.
In the interim, however, Alisson continues as the Reds' unquestioned number one goalkeeper. And while not on international duty or working towards recovery from injury during the present break, he has been occupying his time somewhat differently.
The experienced shot-stopper took a short visit to Venice last week, with his wife, Natalia, posting several photographs of the couple on holiday in Italy to her Instagram account. Accompanying the images, she wrote: "24 hours in Venice, with him".
Additionally, she has posted photographs of them training together in the gym via her Instagram story.
Iraola granted his non-international players some time away at the beginning of the break, though they will shortly return to work at the AXA Training Centre in advance of the bulk of their teammates coming back.
Alisson is set to return refreshed, fit and eager to impress after a well-earned rest, as Liverpool look to preserve their unbeaten record under Iraola against their former title rivals.
While his long-term future beyond the current campaign remains unclear, staying injury-free would go a considerable way towards quashing any lingering doubts over handing the experienced goalkeeper a new contract.
Should Ancelotti continue to exempt him from international commitments, there will be little grumbling from the red half of Merseyside, with such a call only strengthening Alisson's prospects of remaining at Anfield.