Liverpool rocked by Alisson and Ekitike setbacks ahead of Chelsea clash as Mamardashvili readies for league debut
Liverpool will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker when they travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea in the Premier League this Saturday.
The Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury during the second half of Tuesday’s shock 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray and had to be substituted. Manager Arne Slot confirmed that Alisson will miss the Chelsea match and is also unlikely to return in time for the Manchester United fixture after the international break.
“It depends on how quickly he recovers,” Slot explained. “It’s clear he won’t play for Brazil. I would be surprised if he’s back for our first game after the break, but from there recovery could go faster or slower—it’s hard to put a time frame on it. For now, he won’t be available to us or the national team.”
With Alisson sidelined, summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili is set to make his Premier League debut, having replaced him for the final 35 minutes against Galatasaray and also starting the Carabao Cup win over Southampton.
Further up the pitch, Alexander Isak is expected to start after being rested in midweek, when both he and Mohamed Salah were named among the substitutes before coming on in the second half alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley.
Liverpool will also monitor Federico Chiesa, who missed the Galatasaray game with what Slot described as a “small niggle.” Meanwhile, defender Giovanni Leoni faces a lengthy absence after undergoing surgery on an ACL injury sustained on his debut against Southampton, with recovery expected to take around a year.
The Reds have another concern in Hugo Ekitike, who remains a doubt for the trip to west London.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1):
Mamardashvili; Bradley, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Isak
Injured: Alisson, Leoni
Doubts: Ekitike, Chiesa
Match details:
- Date: Saturday, October 4, 2025
- Kick-off: 5.30pm BST
- Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
