Alisson could make his first appearance since the opening day of the season as Liverpool prepare to welcome Leicester City to Anfield.
Liverpool will be aiming to extend their perfect record in the Premier League and consolidate their place atop the table when they play hosts to Leicester City at Anfield on Saturday. And, Jurgen Klopp could welcome back one of his pivotal players this weekend.
Alisson Becker has trained all week, including the last two days as part of the first-team training. The Brazilian is, thus, in contention to return to the starting lineup for the first time in nearly two months, having completed his recovery from a calf injury.
Klopp provided an update on Alisson during his pre-match press conference, but remained coy when asked whether the Liverpool No. 1 will take the field against Leicester.
“With Alisson it’s still: maybe, maybe not. Yesterday he trained with the team [for the first time]. But if you know goalie sessions, they are often pretty more intense than the proper football sessions. He looked really good. We will see, I have to talk to different people before I make a decision about that.”
When quizzed about the considerations he will make for Alisson, Klopp said, “It is different with goalkeepers, it is different with Ali maybe, but the good thing is Adrian did so well we don’t feel pressure. That’s good. We don’t have to rush it – and we don’t.”
Klopp’s comments suggest that while he is ready to welcome Alisson back into his side, he is unlikely to rush the Brazilian back into action. And, with Adrian deputising well in the absence of Alisson, it is likely that the Spaniard will start against Leicester.
Meanwhile, Joel Matip remains on the sidelines due to a knock he sustained at Sheffield United last week. The Liverpool boss talked about Matip as well as Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne, all of whom will play no part against Leicester.
“Joel looks good but is not ready for tomorrow, and Shaq not. And Clyney not. That’s it pretty much. After the international break they are all back on track, apart from Clyney, but until then we have only one game and we have to play without them for that game.”
With Matip still unavailable, Joe Gomez will continue to partner Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the Liverpool defence. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson pick themselves for the full-back slots. The three-man midfield unit is also likely to remain unchanged, considering the magnitude of the game.
Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum will, therefore, retain their places in the side. As will the front trio of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, who are automatic selections for games against the likes of Leicester.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
