Liverpool boss Arne Slot will be forced to name a different goalkeeper for the first time of his tenure when the Reds return to action after the international break.
Alisson Becker sustained a hamstring injury in last week’s 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. The Brazilian isn’t expected to return until after November’s international break.
Slot’s number one will miss Premier League matches against Chelsea, Arsenal, Brighton and Aston Villa, as well as Champions League fixtures with RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen. Fortunately for Liverpool, they are well-stocked with shot-stoppers behind him.
Against Palace, Vitezslav Jaros made his Premier League debut. The 23-year-old made a clean sheet with regular number two Caoimhin Kelleher missing the game due to illness.
Kelleher is expected to be Alisson’s replacement when domestic football resumes next weekend. However, Liverpool signed a new goalkeeper in the summer in Georgia international Giorgi Mamardashvili.
He became Slot’s first signing as Liverpool manager after his Euro 2024 heroics, signing for £25million plus £4m in add-ons. Upon his arrival, he re-joined the La Liga side on loan.
The club confirmed the move towards the end of August. They said: “Liverpool have reached an agreement for the transfer of Giorgi Mamardashvili, subject to a work permit and international clearance – with the Valencia goalkeeper set to move to Anfield ahead of the 2025-26 season.”
Despite Alisson’s injury, Mamardashvili won’t be able to be recalled by Slot and feature this season. The goalkeeper will remain the first-choice at Valencia until the summer.
