West Ham and Fulham take on title favourites Liverpool after the international break.
West Ham and Fulham had been given somewhat of a boost in their hopes of getting a result against seemingly imminent Premier League champions Liverpool in the coming weeks with news of an injury to shot-stopper Alisson.
The Reds goalkeeper, who has kept nine clean sheets in 21 Premier League appearances this term, is currently on international duty representing Brazil. Alisson came off with a head injury in the nation’s 2-1 win over Colombia on Thursday night and an update after the game gave little away as to whether it would require a longer period of time on the sidelines.
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In quotes relayed by CNN Brazil, Brazil team doctor Lasmar said: “Alisson suffered a trauma to the head region, he was replaced by a suspected concussion. Now we will do all the CBF protocol, it will undergo recommended imaging tests, a computed tomography, then a resonance with diffusion.
Liverpool goalkeeper ‘evaluated’ after Brazil injury
“If all the tests are normal, we’ll follow up and do a cognitive test. And then we will evaluate the player. In the possibility that everything is normal, we will make a sequence of observations in the coming days. Today, we will do the tests, all the necessary evaluations. Alisson is normal, with no complaints. He reported no fainting and no memory loss. He thought it was a little slower. In this complaint, the recommended is the replacement of the player.”
Fulham host Liverpool on April 6 and the Reds then take on West Ham at Anfield on April 13. Sitting top of the table with 70 points, Liverpool will be favourites in those matches but the absence of Alisson would have been a boost for the London sides. The Reds have conceded just one goal in their last three Premier League outings with Alisson in between the sticks.
However, in a fresh update from Fabrizio Romano, it seems as if the goalkeeper will be fine to play in those matches, as well as the Merseyside derby beforehand. Romano wrote: “Alisson will be available for Liverpool after the break, no issues despite head injury suffered with Brazil.”
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Alisson shares social media update ahead of Fulham and West Ham
Alisson himself also shared a positive message on social media. Writing on Instagram, he said: “Hey guys, just to let you know I'm fine. Just have to follow the protocols! Thanks for the messages."
The goalkeeper will now observe a 10 day recovery period as per concussion protocol but Liverpool are not back in action until April 2 against Everton, giving him ample time to recover. Liverpool would have had to turn to second choice Caoimhín Kelleher, who has not played in the Premier League since December, if Alisson was injured.
Fulham drew 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield in December while West Ham were thrashed 5-0 at the London Stadium in one of Julen Lopetegui’s final fixtures. Arne Slot’s men also beat the Hammers 5-1 in the Carabao Cup in September.
In other news, West Ham have learned the response of a key summer target to a contract offer submitted by the club.