Liverpool’s season has taken a potentially decisive turn, with Arne Slot confirming that Alisson Becker will be sidelined until the closing stages of the campaign – ruling him out of a critical run of fixtures that could define both their domestic and European ambitions.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City, Slot said: “He [Alisson] will not be part of the Paris Saint-Germain games as well. He will be out for a bit longer. Towards the end of the season we expect him to be fit again.”
That timeline effectively removes Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper from the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City tomorrow, both legs of the Champions League quarter-final against PSG and a series of Premier League fixtures that will shape the race for Champions League qualification.
At this stage of the season, the consequences could be far-reaching.
With so few matches left in the league, there is almost no margin for error. Liverpool are fifth on 49 points and sit outside the automatic Champions League places, behind Manchester United on 55 points and Aston Villa on 54. Chelsea are one point behind Liverpool on 48, while Brentford and Everton are both still close enough to keep the race crowded.
If Liverpool miss out on qualifying through their league finish, they would need to win the Champions League outright to get back into the competition next season. That is a far less reliable route with facing current holders PSG in the quarter-final, before playing either one of Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
The financial gap between Champions League and Europa League football is substantial and missing out on it could hurt Liverpool significantly.
Even in a season where Alisson has not quite hit his previous elite standards, he remains one of Liverpool’s most stabilising figures. His presence calms the defensive line, improves build-up reliability and reduces the sense of chaos when games begin to tilt.
Liverpool’s run-in looks harder than the rivals around them
Liverpool are not just trying to make up ground without their number one goalkeeper – they are doing it with what looks like the hardest remaining league schedule of any of the main Champions League contenders.
Club Remaining league fixtures
Liverpool Fulham (9th), Everton (8th), Crystal Palace (14th), Manchester United (3rd), Chelsea (6th), Aston Villa (4th), Brentford (7th)
Manchester United Leeds (15th), Chelsea (6th), Brentford (7th), Liverpool (5th), Sunderland (11th), Nottingham Forest (16th), Brighton (10th)
Aston Villa Nottingham Forest (16th), Sunderland (11th), Fulham (9th), Tottenham (17th), Burnley (19th), Liverpool (5th), Manchester City (2nd)
Chelsea Manchester City (2nd), Manchester United (3rd), Brighton (10th), Nottingham Forest (16th), Liverpool (5th), Tottenham (17th), Sunderland (11th)
Liverpool still have to play three current top-six sides in Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa, as well as Brentford, who are seventh, and Everton away in a derby environment. Even Fulham, sitting ninth, are not straightforward opposition.
Manchester United’s run-in is more forgiving, with multiple lower-half teams remaining and strong form under Michael Carrick. Manchester United’s form under interim boss Michael Carrick has also been exceptional. Since taking charge, Carrick has overseen seven wins, two draws and just one defeat. Their remaining fixtures include two relegation-threatened sides – Leeds and Nottingham Forest – both at home, alongside trips to Sunderland and Brighton.
With that form and run-in, United are increasingly likely to secure a Champions League spot, placing even greater pressure on Liverpool.
Aston Villa, despite inconsistent form, have a five-point cushion and favourable fixtures against struggling sides, while Chelsea’s unpredictability is balanced by a slightly more manageable schedule.
Liverpool, by contrast, have fewer opportunities to build momentum and must navigate high-stakes matches without their most trusted goalkeeper almost every week.
Giorgi Mamardashvili handed defining moment – but questions remain
Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to continue in goal and this period could ultimately shape his long-term future at the club.
The Georgian has played 13 times this season, keeping three clean sheets and conceding 20 goals. His performances have reflected his current standing at Anfield – a goalkeeper with clear potential but not yet the consistency required at the highest level.
Metric (per 90) Alisson Becker Giorgi Mamardashvili
Saves made 2.3 3.5
Saves inside box 1.4 1.9
Saves outside box 0.8 1.7
Save percentage 65.12% 63.64%
Passing accuracy 79.62% 70.56%
Goals conceded 1.3 2.0
All statistics per 90 minutes. Source: Opta, 2025/26 season.
The contrast between Alisson and Mamardashvili is clear. Based on data per 90 minutes for the current 2025/26 season, Mamardashvili makes more saves per game, but Alisson provides greater control – conceding fewer goals and completing significantly more passes.
That difference matters for Liverpool’s style of play. Without Alisson, games can become more transitional and unpredictable.
This was evident in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton. Mamardashvili made several strong saves but was partly at fault for Danny Welbeck’s opener after giving the ball away in the build-up.
He also featured twice for Georgia during the international break, drawing 2-2 with Israel and keeping a clean sheet in a 2-0 win over Lithuania.
The challenge now is consistency. Liverpool need reliability across games, not just moments of quality.
Selection boost – but not without risk
There is some positive news for Arne Slot.
The Liverpool head coach confirmed in the same press conference that Mohamed Salah is fit and available, while Alexander Isak has returned to training and is expected to feature from the bench. Jeremie Frimpong has also trained fully after being withdrawn during the Netherlands’ recent friendly.
However, Stefan Bajcetic, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined, while Federico Chiesa missed Italy’s recent fixtures entirely.
The returning players offer attacking reinforcement, but with so many high-intensity games in a short period, managing fitness and avoiding further injuries will be critical.
Recent history with Manchester City adds another layer
There is also an interesting dynamic heading into the clash with Manchester City.
When Liverpool last faced Manchester City in February 2026, Alisson conceded a late penalty after fouling Matheus Nunes, with Erling Haaland scoring to give City a 2-1 lead.
In stoppage time, Alisson pushed forward for a set-piece, only to lose an aerial duel with Marc Guehi, leading to a counter-attack that ended with the ball in the net – though the goal was controversially disallowed after Dominik Szoboszlai pulled Haaland back and was sent off, after Haaland was then adjudged to have fouled Szoboszlai in the next phase.
That chaotic ending may still linger psychologically.
Mamardashvili, meanwhile, has also faced Haaland this season – saving a penalty from the Norwegian in November 2025. While Manchester City still won that game 3-0 comfortably, that moment could offer a small but meaningful psychological edge if the match is decided from the spot, particularly with extra time and penalties a possibility.
A defining stretch for Liverpool’s season
Alisson’s absence removes one of Liverpool’s most important players at the most critical stage of the season.
The Brazil international’s absence removes one of the team’s most reliable pillars at precisely the moment when stability matters most. At the same time, it places enormous pressure on a goalkeeper who has yet to fully convince as a long-term successor.
Mamardashvili will be expected to deliver consistency, not just potential, and the absence of Alisson increases the difficulty of an already demanding run-in.
Combined with the most difficult run-in among their rivals, Liverpool now face a scenario where every game carries heightened risk – and where even small errors could have major consequences.
With Champions League qualification, financial implications and momentum all at stake, the coming weeks may ultimately define Liverpool’s and Arne Slot’s season.
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