Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson ruled out until after international break
LIVERPOOL: Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been ruled out until after this month’s international break after injuring his hamstring in the Champions League defeat at Galatasaray. The Brazil international was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili in the 56th minute of the game in Istanbul — Liverpool’s second straight defeat after they started the season with seven successive wins in all competitions. Manager Arne Slot confirmed on Friday his number one goalkeeper would not be fit to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend. “Alisson is not a part of the squad tomorrow and he’s not going to travel to Brazil as well for the national team,” he said. Slot said it was difficult to put a timescale on when the goalkeeper, 33, would return. “I would be surprised if he would be there in the first game after the international break, but from there on sometimes things can go a bit faster or a bit slower,” he added. “It’s difficult to say the amount of days and weeks, but for the upcoming games he will not be part of us or the Brazil team.” Slot said forward Hugo Ekitike, who also came off with an injury in the second half in Turkiye, would train on Friday and would be assessed. Liverpool remain top of the Premier League despite last week’s 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace — two points clear of second-placed Arsenal.