Liverpool handed timely fitness boost ahead of Chelsea clash after injury concerns
Liverpool have received a welcome lift before their meeting with Chelsea, with a key player cleared to feature after raising concerns during the Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
Despite an increasing injury list, manager Arne Slot can take comfort knowing one of his vital squad members is fit and available.
The Reds travel to Stamford Bridge on Saturday evening, desperate to avoid a third straight loss following back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
The midweek loss in Turkey was further complicated by fitness issues for goalkeeper Alisson and striker Hugo Ekitike, while Federico Chiesa also sat out due to a minor problem.
Fortunately for Liverpool, Ekitike’s knock proved less serious than feared, meaning he is in contention to play this weekend.
According to Daily Mail Sport’s Liverpool Confidential column, the French forward is confident he has avoided any major injury setback and is expected to make the trip to London.
The update is a relief for Slot, who admitted he was worried about Ekitike’s fitness after the striker was forced off on Tuesday night.
“I didn’t initially think it was an injury, but Hugo said he felt something. He couldn’t carry on, so we had to replace him,” Slot explained.
Ekitike’s recovery contrasts with Alisson’s situation. The Brazilian goalkeeper is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks with a hamstring injury picked up in Istanbul.
The 33-year-old, who has struggled with fitness issues in recent years, is unlikely to return until after the upcoming international break, with scans on Thursday confirming the extent of the problem.
In his absence, summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili—bought from Valencia for £29 million—will step in for his Premier League debut.
Alisson will also sit out Liverpool’s key fixtures against Manchester United on October 19 and Real Madrid at Anfield on November 4, as well as a high-stakes clash with Manchester City just days later.
Over the past two seasons, the Brazilian has already missed 20 league games due to injuries and illness, prompting Liverpool to bring in the highly rated Georgian as long-term cover.
Elsewhere, Chiesa is set to return to the squad for the Chelsea game after missing the Galatasaray match with a minor fitness concern. Meanwhile, his compatriot Giovanni Leoni recently underwent surgery on an ACL injury.
Reflecting on Alisson’s setback after the Galatasaray game, Slot admitted his fears when the goalkeeper pulled up.
“When a player goes down like that, I usually expect the worst—by that, I mean he can’t continue,” the Liverpool boss said.
“It’s never a good sign when someone leaves the pitch in that way. He won’t be available on Saturday.”
