Liverpool have been dealt a major blow in their bid to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was ruled out for several weeks with a knee injury.
The Reds claimed a huge three points thanks to a 100th-minute header from Virgil Van Dijk to win the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Sunday afternoon, putting Arne Slot's side seven points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea in the Premier League table.
But the team were dealt a huge blow during that game as Mamardashvili was forced off during the second half with a suspected knee problem, and it has now been revealed how long he will be out of action for.
Mamardashvili Ruled Out for Weeks
mamardashvili
Mamardashvili, described as 'incredible', has been filling in for number one goalkeeper Alisson Becker in recent games, with the Brazilian sidelined with a hamstring problem of his own.
Alisson is understood to be targeting a return to action towards the end of April, with Mamardashvili pencilled in to hold the fort until then. But the Georgia international is now set to miss at least a fortnight of action, having picked up a deep wound following a collision with Beto.
The 25-year-old will now be sidelined for between two and four weeks, depending on the speed of his recovery, which means Arne Slot will be forced to use third-choice option Freddie Woodman in goal for upcoming games.
Liverpool will face off against Crystal Palace in their next game, before a trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United. He will almost certainly miss both games, and is also doubtful for the following game against Chelsea, their biggest rivals for a Champions League spot.
Liverpool Need Alisson Back ASAP
Alisson
Slot's side have been dealing with a number of injury issues all season, and have recently lost Hugo Ekitike for up to nine months with a ruptured achilles.
But the team are still battling to be in the Champions League next season, and despite the advantage they have in the race, their form hasn't been great and it could easily change with one or two bad results.
While Woodman is a fine goalkeeper, he isn't Premier League level, and Slot will be desperate to get Alisson back sooner rather than later with Mamardashvili now unavailable to be his deputy.
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