Alisson Set to Return for Liverpool in Champions League Showdown Against Girona
It’s the news Liverpool fans have been waiting for! After more than two months on the sidelines nursing a hamstring injury, Liverpool’s star goalkeeper Alisson Becker is officially back and ready to take his place between the posts. Head coach Arne Slot confirmed the Brazilian shot-stopper is fit and available to start in Tuesday night’s Champions League clash against Girona. This announcement comes as a massive boost for the Reds as they aim to maintain their perfect record in Europe’s elite competition.
Alisson’s last appearance for Liverpool came on Oct. 5, when he was forced off during a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace. Since then, fans have been anxiously awaiting his return, and now the wait is over. Speaking at a Monday news conference, Slot didn’t hold back his excitement about having his first-choice goalkeeper back in action.
“He is fit,” Slot said confidently. “It speaks for itself if you can play with Alisson, who has been so outstanding for this club for so many years and the Brazil national team. It is definitely nice to have him back and to have him available.”
Two Great Goalkeepers, One Tough Decision
While Alisson’s return is undoubtedly a huge boost, Slot was quick to praise the man who stepped up in his absence: Caoimhín Kelleher. The Republic of Ireland international filled in admirably for the 32-year-old, delivering some stellar performances. However, Kelleher did have a moment to forget in last week’s dramatic 3-3 draw with Newcastle United, where a costly error proved pivotal.
“If you look at how his replacement did, it is not going to be easy to do it even better,” Slot admitted. “Caoimhín did so well, so we can say we have two great goalkeepers who can do the job for us. But for so many years, Alisson has been so outstanding for the club that we are expecting him to do the same in the upcoming weeks and months.”
Alisson’s Road to Recovery
Alisson’s return to the squad has been a carefully managed process. The goalkeeper trained with the first team on Monday afternoon before traveling with the squad to Spain. In a heartwarming moment for fans, Alisson shared a photo on his Instagram story from the flight, captioning it: “So happy to be back.”
His return couldn’t come at a better time for Liverpool, who are looking to continue their flawless run in the Champions League. With Alisson back in goal, the Reds will feel more confident than ever as they take on Girona at the Estadi Montilivi.
Other Squad Updates
While Alisson’s return is the headline news, there were other notable updates from Liverpool’s camp. Forward Diogo Jota, who has been out since Liverpool’s win over Chelsea on Oct. 20, also trained with the team on Monday. However, he hasn’t been included in the 19-man squad for the Girona clash. Meanwhile, fellow forward Federico Chiesa will miss out due to illness.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
As Liverpool prepare to face Girona, all eyes will be on Alisson to see if he can pick up right where he left off. The Brazilian has been a cornerstone of Liverpool’s success in recent years, and his return could be the spark the team needs to push forward in both domestic and European competitions.
Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways:
- Alisson Becker is fit and ready to start against Girona in the Champions League.
- The goalkeeper has been out since Oct. 5 with a hamstring injury.
- Caoimhín Kelleher performed admirably in Alisson’s absence but made a costly error against Newcastle United.
- Diogo Jota trained with the team but hasn’t been included in the squad, while Federico Chiesa is out due to illness.
With Alisson back in the fold, Liverpool fans have every reason to be optimistic. The Reds are on a mission to make a statement in Europe, and their No. 1 goalkeeper is ready to lead the charge. Will Alisson’s return be the game-changer Liverpool needs? We’ll find out soon enough!
Originally Written by: Alex Dodd
