Liverpool suffer a major blow as Alisson Becker is ruled out with a thigh injury, missing Chelsea and Brazil’s upcoming matches.
Brazilian international goalkeeper Alisson Becker will miss Liverpool’s important Premier League clash against Chelsea this Saturday as well as the upcoming matches of the Brazilian national team, a development that represents a major setback for both club and country.
The news was confirmed on Friday by Liverpool manager Arne Slot during his pre-match press conference, in which he admitted that the 31-year-old will not be available to travel with the squad or join up with Brazil for international duty. For Liverpool, who have just endured back-to-back defeats and are desperately seeking stability, the loss of their first-choice goalkeeper could not have come at a worse time.
The injury that sidelines Alisson occurred during Tuesday’s Champions League match in Istanbul, where Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by Galatasaray. It was the second consecutive defeat for the Reds after their 2-1 loss away to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Alisson appeared to suffer a thigh problem while stretching for a save in the second half. Although he continued playing until the final whistle, the goalkeeper was visibly uncomfortable. Scans carried out afterwards confirmed that he would require a period of recovery, although the exact length of his absence has not yet been specified by the club’s medical staff.
Arne Slot did not attempt to downplay the seriousness of the situation but was cautious about providing details. He explained that he would be surprised if Alisson were to recover in time to face Manchester United on October 19, once the international break is over. That fixture, a clash with Rúben Amorim’s revitalised United side, is one of the highlights of the season and the idea of going into it without their world-class goalkeeper is a daunting prospect for Liverpool. For the Brazilian, it represents another frustrating interruption to his campaign just as the season is starting to take shape.
Alisson has been one of Liverpool’s most important figures since joining from Roma in 2018. His presence brought stability to a defence that had long been criticized for its inconsistency. With his remarkable reflexes, confidence under pressure, and precise distribution, he quickly became a cornerstone of Jürgen Klopp’s team, playing a decisive role in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph in 2019 and their long-awaited Premier League title win in 2020. Many observers believe that without Alisson, those successes would have been impossible, as he consistently delivered in high-pressure moments, often saving the team with decisive interventions when games hung in the balance.
For Slot, who only arrived at Anfield this summer to succeed Klopp, the timing of the injury could not be worse. The Dutch manager has already seen his side concede too many goals in recent weeks, and the absence of his first-choice goalkeeper exposes the defence to even greater scrutiny. The responsibility will now fall on Caoimhín Kelleher, a promising young Irish goalkeeper who has impressed in cup competitions but has limited experience at Premier League level and has never had to shoulder the pressure of replacing a player of Alisson’s stature across multiple competitions. Liverpool supporters will be hoping he can rise to the challenge, but many will feel uneasy heading into such a demanding run of fixtures.
The implications are also significant for the Brazilian national team. Brazil are preparing for crucial World Cup qualifiers, and Alisson’s absence is a major blow to new coach Dorival Júnior, who is still trying to settle his squad and establish momentum. While Brazil can count on Manchester City’s Ederson, Palmeiras’ Weverton, and Athletico Paranaense’s Bento, none carries the same aura of authority that Alisson has built over years as the undisputed first-choice. His leadership, communication with defenders, and ability to produce decisive saves in key moments have often been invaluable to the Seleção. Losing him now, with competitive matches looming, forces Brazil to rethink their approach and adapt quickly in a period where every point in qualifying can make the difference between comfort and crisis.
For Liverpool, the situation highlights a familiar problem. In recent seasons, the club has suffered at critical times due to injuries to key players. The absence of Virgil van Dijk in 2020-21 was a defining factor in a campaign that nearly collapsed, and issues with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota in other seasons disrupted rhythm and stability. Now, with Slot still trying to implement his philosophy and win over supporters, losing Alisson threatens to undermine the team’s progress at a very early stage. The defeat in Turkey already increased the pressure, and another poor result at Stamford Bridge would raise serious questions about the trajectory of the season.
The bigger picture is that Alisson Becker’s injury leaves Liverpool and Brazil in a delicate position, both needing to adapt quickly to challenges without one of the best goalkeepers in the world. For Slot, it is a test of depth and resilience, and for Dorival Júnior, it is a chance to see whether the squad’s alternatives can fill the void. For Alisson himself, it is another reminder of the cruel timing that injuries often impose, interrupting a season and forcing even the strongest players to watch from the sidelines.
As the weekend approaches, Liverpool will head to Stamford Bridge without their guardian between the posts, knowing that the coming weeks will demand resilience and character. For fans, teammates, and coaches alike, the absence of Alisson will be felt in every moment until his return.
