Following the news of Alisson Becker’s injury, we look at how the recurring issue could be detrimental to Liverpool’s season.
Why Alisson Becker’s Injury Could Be Detrimental to Liverpool’s Season
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The Injury
Alisson Becker missed Liverpool’s match at home to Burnley with the flu.
However, this injury is unrelated. He picked up a hamstring issue during Friday’s afternoon training session and missed their away fixture at Brentford.
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Jurgen Klopp explained that “we don’t know yet” how severe it is.
The Brazilian goalkeeper missed two Premier League games in early December due to the same injury. The recurrence of this will cause anxiety to the Liverpool team.
The Replacement
Caoimhin Kelleher will step in, as he did in December and for the past two matches.
This may worry fans, as the Irishman has kept just two clean sheets in 14 matches this season – despite playing five of those in the Europa League and five in the EFL Cup.
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The 25-year-old has also conceded 1.85 more goals than he should have, according to expected goals on target faced.
It is rare for him to make an impressive save, and he is often a liability – regularly conceding goals that did not look like threatening shots.
Important Fixtures That Could Fall During the Alisson Becker Injury
Some fans may argue that the appearances of Kelleher have not led to underwhelming results: this season, he has seen 11 wins, a draw, and two losses. In fact, he has a perfect record in the league with four wins.
However, he has faced Fulham, Sheffield United, Burnley, and Brentford. The only top-half Premier League side faced was a rotated West Ham in the EFL Cup.
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Important upcoming fixtures include an EFL Cup final against Chelsea (February 25) and a title race classic against Manchester City (March 10). Should Alisson’s injury be long-term, Liverpool’s cup and title hopes may be detrimentally hurt.
Aside from these two, every fixture counts in the backend of a fiercely competitive title race with the ruthless Manchester City (53 points with a game in hand) and the exciting Arsenal (55 points). Liverpool sit on 57 points.
Kelleher playing instead of the injured Alisson may ruin Klopp’s final season at Anfield. Alternatively, should the star keeper return, the German manager may end his Anfield career on a high with the potential of four trophies still existing.
