Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Liverpool’s Alisson Becker could be fit to face Man City in the Community Shield in two weeks time.
As quoted in The Athletic after Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 2-0, Klopp said Alisson ‘has a chance’ to play, but ruled Diogo Jota out.
“Ali (Alisson) has a chance for the game against City (in the Community Shield), Diogo (Jota) not,” said Klopp.
“With Ali, it’s nothing serious but we’re preparing for the whole season. It’s just not ideal. He can’t do goalie training with it and shouldn’t play in this moment, but he can still do some other things. These things happen. Only a little thing but we have to be careful.”
Bad news for Oxlade-Chamberlain, too
Klopp also provided an update on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. The 28-year-old also went down with injury during the first-half of the today’s game.
Reacting to the injury, the Liverpool boss said he ‘didn’t know’ the severity of Ox’s issue.
“It’s very disappointing for him and for us,” said Klopp. “Ox had trained all the time really well and had looked really good. It has happened in the past with Ox when he has had intense periods. This is just a muscle thing and we’ve had worse situations. I don’t know exactly how long it will take. But he’ll come back and it will be all fine. He’s a top class player who can help us.”
Worrying news all round
These things happen in pre-season, but it’s still worrying nonetheless. Most concerning is the issue surrounding Liverpool’s goalkeeper.
The Reds have a number of players who feel ‘irreplaceable’ and he’s right at the top of that list. The drop off from Alisson to Caoimhin Kelleher is not as big as it once was, but is still a little too big for comfort.
Liverpool simply can’t afford to head into the new season without their number one present. If that means he has to sit out the Community Shield on 30th July, then so be it.
It will be a harder task against Manchester City without Alisson, but you’d rather have him fit and ready for the season’s opener a week later.
As for Jota and Oxlade-Chamberlain, their absence will be keenly felt, too. Admittedly, Jota rather more so than Ox, but the midfielder had looked lively himself before picking up the injury.
He’ll be desperate to make his mark this season and show that he isn’t finished just yet at Liverpool. That may now have to be put on hold as he looks to recover.
So, a very mixed day all round for Liverpool. More minutes in the legs is a big positive, but another injury worry will have been what Klopp had feared the most.