Alisson Becker Ruled Out Until After International Break, Says Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker will be unavailable until after the upcoming international break, leaving the Reds to rely on backup options in the interim.

The Brazilian’s absence follows a knee or muscle issue sustained during Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, and the club is currently assessing the precise nature and timeline of his recovery.

Alisson was forced off in the 56th minute of the Istanbul match after making a save from Viktor Osimhen, an intervention which appeared to exacerbate an underlying issue.

Though the Liverpool medical staff have not publicly confirmed the specific diagnosis, Slot’s post-match comments painted a concerning picture. “When he sprinted back he felt something. I cannot tell you exactly because I am not a physio,” Slot said. “Normally when a player feels something and goes to the floor and doesn’t come back onto the pitch I fear the worst — and by the worst I mean he cannot continue. That’s what happened with Alisson.”

Reports now indicate that Alisson is expected to be sidelined until at least after the international window, ruling him out of Liverpool’s immediate fixtures. The club has confirmed he will miss the trip to Chelsea and that further information will be revealed as assessments proceed.

Liverpool face a difficult period without their first-choice keeper. Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Georgian international, is likely to assume goalkeeping duties in the short term. Mamardashvili has already come on as a substitute in the Galatasaray match, and will likely be thrust into further Premier League and European action until Alisson’s return.

This isn’t the first time Alisson has struggled with injuries. Last season, he was sidelined for more than two months with a hamstring problem, from early October to mid-December. Earlier campaigns have also seen intermittent absences, underscoring the physical demands on elite-level goalkeepers.

The timing of this injury compounds a challenging stretch for Liverpool. Just days earlier, they had lost to Crystal Palace in the Premier League, and the squad is now forced into lineup adjustments as key players cope with fatigue from a congested fixture calendar. Virgil van Dijk, the club captain, appealed for composure among supporters, stating, “There shouldn’t be panic, but improvement is needed.”

Slot, too, maintained a tone of caution. “It’s never positive if you go off like this,” he said. “You can be sure he’s not playing Saturday and let’s wait how long it’s going to take.” In his official communication, Liverpool clarified that Alisson is already ruled out for the Chelsea match and that they await further medical reports before projecting a return date.

The international break, scheduled between October 6 and October 14, now becomes a likely marker for Alisson’s return to training or match readiness. The earliest speculation has him back in contention for the Reds’ first fixture following that window, a potentially pivotal match against Manchester United on October 19.