Arne Slot confirms double injury blow for Liverpool after Galatasaray defeat
Liverpool have been handed a serious injury setback just as they prepare to face Chelsea.
Manager Arne Slot has confirmed that first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker is expected to be unavailable for the upcoming match, after being forced off the pitch during their Champions League defeat to Galatasaray.
To compound the blow, new signing Hugo Ekitike also suffered an injury in the same game.
With both players now in doubt, Liverpool must navigate a challenging period where squad depth and recovery will be crucial.
During Liverpool’s 1–0 loss in Istanbul, Alisson was substituted early in the second half after picking up a problem while sprinting back into position.
Alisson was substituted against Galatasaray
He was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili. The precise nature of his injury has not been disclosed, but Slot hinted it is likely serious.
Slot said that when a player “sprints back, feels something, goes to the floor and doesn’t come back,” the signs are rarely good.
The Reds boss said, as reported by Fabrizio Romano:
“It is never a positive sign when a player has to go off like this”.
“Alisson will not be available to play on Saturday”.
Losing the Brazilian stopper is especially damaging, as he remains one of Liverpool’s most consistent and dependable performers.
Hugo Ekitike also went off injured for Liverpool
Adding to Liverpool’s concerns, Ekitike, who was introduced in the same fixture, was also forced off injured.
Slot described that Ekitike “felt something when he had to reach for the ball,” and admitted that the timing of the substitution came amid a flurry of action and confusion.
How long Ekitike will be out remains to be seen, but his absence would limit attacking options during a congested run of fixtures.
Liverpool now face a testing period. Losing Alisson for the imminent trip to Chelsea is a harsh blow for a team already struggling for form, while Ekitike’s injury further thins their resources.
Federico Chiesa is another player who remains a doubt for the match against Chelsea.
Former Liverpool star reckons they should have broken records for ‘frightening player’
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