โSignificant setbackโ โ Liverpool rocked by Alisson and Ekitike injuries ahead of Chelsea showdown
Liverpoolโs preparations for Saturdayโs Premier League clash with Chelsea have been thrown into turmoil after a bruising Champions League defeat to Galatasaray left them sweating over two key players.
The Reds fell 1-0 in Istanbul following a contentious first-half penalty, but the bigger concern came after the break when both Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike were forced off injured.
Double blow in Istanbul
Alisson went down clutching his leg after a one-on-one save against Victor Osimhen and, despite initial treatment, could not continue. His withdrawal prompted Giorgi Mamardashvili to play the final half-hour. Journalist James Pearce described the injury on X as a โsignificant setbackโ for Liverpool, given Alissonโs game-saving heroics in recent weeks.
Minutes later, Ekitike pulled up while stretching for a loose ball. He was replaced by Alexis Mac Allister in what became Arne Slotโs fifth and final change of the night. Sky Sportsโ Sam Blitz summed up the mood: โThis is a double setback for Liverpool. Losing Alisson to injury and THEN Ekitike? We saw against Palace how unprepared Isak is and how much Ekitikeโs absence will hurt.โ
The bigger picture
Liverpool had been relatively fortunate with fitness so far this season, but the Galatasaray clash was their sixth match in 17 daysโa brutal schedule that has now taken its toll.
Alissonโs potential absence is the most alarming. The Brazilian has been crucial to keeping Liverpool afloat in recent matches, and Slot may be forced to turn to Mamardashvili for the Chelsea fixture and beyond.
For Ekitike, the timing is equally cruel. The French striker, suspended for last weekendโs draw against Crystal Palace, returned to the starting XI in Istanbul but saw his bright start to life at Anfield (five goals in eight matches) halted by injury.
Whatโs next?
The severity of both setbacks remains unclear, though the upcoming international break could limit the damage by giving the pair extra recovery time. Slot is expected to provide an update in the coming days.
For now, however, Liverpool face the prospect of heading into a pivotal clash against Chelsea without their world-class goalkeeper and their in-form strikerโa double blow that could not have come at a worse moment.
