Liverpool sweating on Alisson fitness as scan sparks fresh worries
Liverpool are anxiously awaiting scan results to determine the severity of Alisson Becke

Liverpool sweating on Alisson fitness as scan sparks fresh worries

Liverpool fans have been left holding their breath after Alisson Becker limped off during the Reds’ Champions League defeat to Galatasaray. The Brazilian, so often the calm presence at the back for Jurgen Klopp’s side and now Arne Slot’s, is set for a scan to determine the severity of a hamstring injury that threatens to sideline him during a crucial stretch of the season.

Alisson fitness in spotlight after Galatasaray defeat

It all unfolded in the 56th minute in Istanbul. Victor Osimhen broke through, Alisson sprinted back to cover, and suddenly the Brazilian’s stride faltered. He pulled up sharply, immediately waving to the bench in the kind of gesture that Liverpool supporters have learned to dread.

Summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili was rushed on, and while the Georgian stopper did little wrong, the sight of Alisson limping away with a hamstring problem was the lasting image of the night. The Reds lost 1-0, but the bigger defeat could come in the form of losing their No. 1 for weeks—if not longer.

Hamstring injuries have been a recurring frustration for Alisson. Now 32, his body is not as forgiving as it once was, and Liverpool’s medical team will be wary of rushing him back. A scan scheduled for Thursday should reveal the scale of the problem, but Slot has already ruled him out of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Chelsea.

Slot confirms Alisson will miss Chelsea clash

Speaking after the game in Turkey, Arne Slot was brutally honest about the situation. “If one of our players is on the floor nine times out of 10, I fear the worst,” the Dutchman admitted. “And with the worst, I mean he cannot continue, and that is what happened with Alisson. He will not be able to play Saturday, that is 99.9 per cent certain—although I think it is 100 per cent.”

It was hardly the reassurance Liverpool supporters were hoping for. The reality is that any absence for Alisson, however short, is damaging. He is not just a shot-stopper but a leader, a calming presence, and the foundation upon which so many of Liverpool’s recent triumphs have been built.

Liverpool sweating on Alisson fitness during crucial run

Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League

Newcastle United v Liverpool – Premier League

What makes this setback particularly concerning is the timing. Liverpool’s fixture list is unrelenting, with matches that could define their season arriving thick and fast. After Chelsea away comes a showdown with Manchester United at Anfield on October 19—a match that always carries extra weight but could prove decisive in the title race even at this early stage.

From there, Liverpool face Crystal Palace before welcoming European heavyweights Real Madrid, a fixture that evokes both glorious and painful memories for the Anfield faithful. Slot would have wanted Alisson fit and firing for such games. Instead, he may be forced to gamble with Mamardashvili as the man between the sticks.

Mamardashvili handed chance to step up

The 23-year-old Georgian goalkeeper was brought in during the summer window as a long-term investment, but few expected him to be thrust into the spotlight this early. Now, with Alisson sidelined, Mamardashvili’s time has come sooner than planned.

He is no stranger to pressure. At Valencia, he developed a reputation as a fearless, agile shot-stopper with excellent reflexes. But Anfield is a different stage. Here, every mistake is magnified, every save celebrated, and every clean sheet demanded. How he adapts to life as Liverpool’s temporary No. 1 could shape the next month of the club’s campaign.

Alisson’s history with injuries raises concern

Part of the anxiety stems from history. Alisson has missed significant stretches in recent seasons with muscle injuries, most notably hamstring problems. Each time, Liverpool have found ways to cope—Adrian, Caoimhin Kelleher, and now Mamardashvili have all had their turns in goal. But there is no disguising the drop-off when Alisson is absent.

His command of the box, his distribution, and his ability to pull off improbable saves are all qualities that define him as one of the best in the world. Without him, Liverpool lose not just quality but confidence.

Liverpool must adapt in Alisson’s absence

For Slot, the challenge is clear. He must protect Mamardashvili from being overwhelmed while ensuring the team remains compact and defensively resilient. The back four—Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Andrew Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—will need to step up collectively, limiting the workload on their new goalkeeper.

There may also be tactical adjustments. Slot could look to tighten midfield control, slowing the tempo of games to reduce exposure at the back. Liverpool’s high press, so reliant on precision, may need fine-tuning to shield Mamardashvili during his settling period.

Liverpool waiting on scan results

Ultimately, all eyes now turn to Thursday’s scan. The results will determine whether Alisson faces a short spell out or something more prolonged. A minor strain could see him return within weeks, while a more serious tear could sideline him for months.

Whatever the outcome, Liverpool know they must weather this storm. The Premier League is unforgiving, the Champions League even more so, and any slip-ups could derail what has otherwise been a promising start under Slot.

Conclusion: A nervy wait for Liverpool

Liverpool sweating on Alisson fitness is not a new storyline—but it is one the club could do without as the season enters a defining phase. Losing a player of his calibre always feels like a hammer blow, but perhaps the silver lining lies in opportunity: for Mamardashvili to show his worth, for Slot to prove his adaptability, and for the squad to rally in adversity.

Still, make no mistake. Liverpool will be desperate for good news from that scan. Because while goals win games, it is often Alisson’s saves that win titles.

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