Liverpool could have just been given an injury boost as they head into a busy period of the season.
December is always a crucial time of the year for Premier League sides, as they get a real idea of their ambitions for the rest of the campaign.
This year, Liverpool’s aspirations have been rocked a touch by injuries to key players. Perhaps the biggest of those issues has been the knock goalkeeper Alisson Becker picked up during November’s draw against Manchester City.
Since then, Alisson has missed the last two games, with Caoimhin Kelleher shipping three goals against Fulham on Sunday.
Kelleher’s display at the weekend has perhaps heightened worries about the absence of their No.1. Although Jurgen Klopp came out in support of his back-up goalie, you can’t really replace a ‘keeper who has recently been called ‘brilliant’ by Gary Lineker.
Thankfully, it seems like Liverpool won’t have to, not for much longer anyway. The Athletic report today that Alisson’s injury is ‘not as bad’ as some suffered by his teammates, and that the Brazilian is aiming to be back by the middle of the month. I.e. just a handful of days away. Superb.
Alisson nearing Reds return
As things stand, you’d still perhaps expect Alisson to miss the next three Liverpool games.
Obviously, there’s no chance of him starting this evening. Kelleher is going to have to put criticism from Sunday’s display to the back of his mind and stand firm against Sheffield United.
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You’d imagine that Saturday’s trip to take on Crystal Palace will come too early for Ali as well. That will mean Kelleher has the chance to begin four games in a row for Liverpool.
Although there are no easy games in the Premier League – as Sunday showed – the Reds should be able to manage.
Following that, Liverpool head to Belgium to take on Union Saint-Gilloise in a dead rubber. There’s no chance of Alisson starting that even if he is fit, and depending on how near the Brazil star is by then, we may even see Adrian between the sticks.
So, the day circled large for Liverpool and Alisson will be the following Sunday, December 17th. That’s the day that Manchester United come to town, and the Reds will be crossing their fingers that their No.1 is ready.
After, it’s likely that Kelleher will step in again for the Carabao Cup tie with West Ham United, before Alisson hopefully takes over for the enormous match against Arsenal on the 23rd.
It’s the injury that we all feared happening, but hopefully it’s almost over.