Alisson’s return confirmed, but not without warning from Liverpool goalkeeper Arne Slot

Alisson’s return confirmed, but not without warning from Liverpool goalkeeper Arne Slot

Alisson has been told he has a difficult task on his hands as he returns to Girona to join Liverpool

Arne Slot gives a press conference on the eve of the UEFA Champions League football match between Girona and Liverpool at the Montilivi Stadium in Girona on December 9, 2024(Picture: JOSEP LAGO/AFP via Getty Images)

Alisson Becker has been told he has a difficult task on his hands as he prepares to replace Caoimhin Kelleher in goal for Liverpool. Alisson is expected to make his first appearance in more than two months after returning to the Reds squad for the Champions League game against Girona here in Spain on Tuesday evening.

The Brazilian has been out since suffering a torn hamstring in the closing stages of the 1-0 Premier League win at Crystal Palace in early October.

In his absence, deputy Kelleher has put in a number of impressive performances, helping Liverpool top both the Premier League and Champions League tables, although he was at fault for Newcastle United’s late equalizer in a 3-3 draw with Tyneside last Wednesday .

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And Slot admits it will not be easy for Alisson – who has missed the last 11 games – to surpass the contribution of Kelleher, who kept three straight clean sheets in the Champions League.

“Alisson is fit, yes,” said Slot. “I think it speaks for itself if you can play Alisson, who has been so outstanding for this club and for the Brazilian national team for so many years. It’s definitely nice to have him back and available.”

“But if you look at how his successor did, it won’t be easy to do better. We expect this to remain the case and margins could be better.”

“But Caoimh also did so well that we can say we have two very good goalkeepers. Alisson has been so outstanding for this club over so many years that we expect and hope he will do the same in the weeks and months to come.”

While Alisson is back in contention, Diogo Jota has not traveled to Girona, despite taking part in open practice in Kirkby on Monday. Federico Chiesa and Tyler Morton also remained on Merseyside due to illness and a minor injury respectively, while defenders Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas were also ruled out. Alexis Mac Allister is serving a one-match ban in the European Cup.

Liverpool have taken just a 19-man squad to Spain, which also includes third-choice goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros, 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell and academy left-back James Norris.

With Saturday’s Goodison derby against Everton canceled due to bad weather, the Reds have been out of action for almost a week and Slot has suggested he has no choice but to go strong with his starting lineup.

“Everyone (available) is really fit because we missed the game on Saturday,” he said. “Now there is no reason to change from the last game. Maybe there is a reason for the upcoming game (against Fulham at home on Saturday in the Premier League), but there are three days in between. We will start like everyone else in the other games with a very good team.”

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