Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has disclosed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker has picked up a hip injury in training before the Chelsea game. The Reds boss said the keeper will miss Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Saturday and next Wednesday’s crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Atletico Madrid.
Alisson was rested for Tuesday’s 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Chelsea as a precaution and Adrian was called on to provide cover for the Brazilian shot-stopper. The Spaniard, however, made an error to give the Blues their first goal in the Reds FA Cup exit. Adrian will again deputize for the first-choice keeper when Liverpool welcome Bournemouth to Anfield.
The injury to Alisson will come as big blow to the Reds as they plan to welcome Atletico to Anfield on Wednesday for the return leg of their Champions League clash. Liverpool currently trails 1-0 on aggregate.
He has also been dropped from the Brazil squad for the upcoming international break, with Brazil coach Tite calling up Ederson, Weverton, Ederson, and Ivan.
Speaking on Friday in his post-match press conference, Klopp said scans have revealed the Brazil international would be out for longer than first thought. The German coach noted that It is unclear how long Alisson will be sidelined for, but it could be after the next international break.
Klopp said: “Unfortunately Ali is out.
“He had a little incident in training before the Chelsea game. We all thought it was nothing and it was clear he would not play anyway, the plan was he was on the bench.
“There, we thought, ‘Come on, we don’t have to take any risks’ so left him out of the squad. [There was a] scan the next day and they found something. So now he is out.”
Klopp added on the nature of the injury: “Muscle, slight, in the hip region. A small muscle. You [the reporters] could all do your work still but a professional goalkeeper is slightly different. That’s the situation.
”He is not available for tomorrow and then the next week. We have to judge the situation.
“I don’t want to say no [for Merseyside derby] but I am not sure. After the international break, he will be 100% but we will see.”
Klopp added that Naby Keita and captain Jordan Henderson could return against Atletico, but Saturday’s meeting with Bournemouth will come too soon for the central midfielder. Henderson suffered a hamstring problem and was ruled out the Reds’ last three games.
“Naby trained. Henderson has a chance for Atletico next week, but not for Bournemouth,” added Klopp.
Speaking further, Klopp said he is eager to see his side return to winning ways when they face Bournemouth and Atletico within the next five days.
He added that Liverpool are ready to avoid defeat in the two matches, noting that the Premier League title is still very much within reach.
“Winning gives you confidence, losing takes it away, that is normal,” said Klopp.
“One defeat feels like two, not a massive difference, it is just how you get back on track. You can do that by working hard. We have to fight to get back on track. We have to do that as a unit.
“How opponents play against us is not new, it is the same, a defensive block and counters with set pieces.
“Bournemouth are dangerous from them so we have to be 100% spot on. We have to play football, force a way through, switch sides, create space and protect it perfectly.”
