Arne Slot confirmed Alisson ‘definitely’ won’t feature in Liverpool’s next game after he was taken off with an injury against Galatasaray.
Alisson departed in the 56th minute of Liverpool’s Champions League 1-0 defeat in Istanbul with what appeared to be a knee issue.
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The Brazilian sustained the injury as he denied Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen his second goal of the evening.
Despite Alisson’s best efforts to press on, he was unable to continue and was switched out for Giorgi Mamardashvili.
What did Arne Slot say on Alisson’s injury?
Speaking after the loss, Liverpool manager Slot all but announced Mamardashvili would deputise between the sticks in the Reds’ next match, which sees them face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
“It’s never positive if you go off like this,” Slot said.
“You can be sure he (Alisson) won’t be playing on Saturday. We’ll wait and see how long it will take but he definitely won’t play on Saturday.”
Alisson’s latest injury woe comes after he missed 16 matches for Liverpool last season.
The 32-year-old was absent with a mixture of thigh and hamstring issues as well as concussion.
Who else got injured for Liverpool against Galatasaray?
Alisson wasn’t the only Liverpool star to make an early exit against Galatasaray.
Summer signing Hugo Ekitike had to go off in the 68th minute and was replaced by Alexis Mac Allister.
The Frenchman appeared to indicate towards the bench he was struggling with his hamstring.
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It was Ekitike’s first match back having been suspended for Liverpool’s 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace last Saturday due to picking up two yellow cards in a Carabao Cup tie, the second of which came due to the forward removing his shirt when celebrating a goal.
When do Liverpool play next?
With Slot confirming Alisson’s absence and Ekitike under a cloud of uncertainty regarding his fitness, Slot will be forced into a re-shuffle for their next clash.
The Reds will look to return to the winner’s circle on Saturday when they travel to Chelsea, who enjoyed a 1-0 win over Benfica in their Champions League tie on Tuesday.
An own goal from Benfica’s Richard Rios helped the Blues to their first European win of the season, although it was soured by a late red card to Joao Pedro as he became the third Chelsea player to be sent off in their last four fixtures across all competitions.
How Liverpool’s clash against Galatasaray unfolded
The loss to Galatasaray marked Liverpool’s second on the trot in all competitions as an Osimhen penalty in the first half did the damage.
Osimhen was given the opportunity to put the home side ahead from the spot after Dominik Szoboszlai hit Baris Alper Yilmaz with his arm inside the box.
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And the striker made no mistake as he slammed the ball down the middle of the goal.
It looked like Liverpool would get the chance to net a late equaliser when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Ibrahima Konate by Galatasaray right-back Wilfried Singo.
However, the decision was overturned following a VAR review as Singo was adjudged to have won the ball earlier than Konate, who was deemed to have gotten to the ball before the Reds defender.
The loss leaves Liverpool sitting 16th in the Champions League league phase table on three points, with Galatasaray level on points but two places behind due to an inferior goal difference.