Liverpool are anxiously awaiting the results of a scan on Alisson Becker's hamstring to determine the length of his recovery period, reports the Liverpool Echo. The Brazilian goalkeeper was forced off the pitch during Saturday's match at Selhurst Park, where the Reds secured their Premier League lead with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace.
With regular backup Caoimhin Kelleher out due to illness, Alisson was replaced by Vitezslav Jaros. The Czech international made his senior debut for the club, keeping a clean sheet in south London.
Despite giving a thumbs up when questioned about his condition as he limped out of Selhurst Park, it was evident that the former Roma goalkeeper was in pain. He is now taking a break from international duties while Brazil play World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru.
The £65m goalkeeper is now a significant doubt for Liverpool's upcoming clash with Chelsea at Anfield on October 20. Depending on the severity of his injury, he could be out for even longer.
After Saturday's game, head coach Arne Slot expressed his concern, stating that the No. 1 would miss the Chelsea match and the Arsenal game on October 27.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot stated to TNT Sport: "Unfortunately, Alisson will not be with us in those matches, I assume, if I saw how he walked off the pitch," before adding in the press conference: "We don't know definitely what happened but we do if you walk off like he does that normally means he's not in the Brazil squad and I don't expect him to be in the team in the first game we play afterwards (at home to Chelsea on October 20). It's going to take a few weeks, I assume. I think it is his hamstring."
Slot continued: "Alisson is our clear No.1 and is the best goalkeeper in the world. It's always a blow when he gets injured, not only for himself but also for us as a team. The positive thing for the team, not only in the goalkeeper position but also in almost every position, is that we also have a second option that's really good. Caoimh has already shown this season that he's quite clearly the number two goalkeeper. He did really well."
In other injury news, Alexis Mac Allister has been given the green light to join up with Argentina despite being substituted at half-time due to a groin problem during Saturday's 1-0 win, sealed by Diogo Jota's early strike. Mac Allister was substituted for Dominik Szoboszlai at the interval, with Slot later clarifying that the World Cup champion was replaced as a precautionary measure.
The ex-Brighton ace has since traveled to Florida to meet with his national teammates in preparation for their World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Bolivia. The 25-year-old will undergo an evaluation by the Argentina medical squad before their Thursday fixture against Venezuela at Estadio Monumental de Maturin.
Mac Allister seemed to allay fears of a serious injury on social media Saturday night, tweeting: "Great win for the team today, these are the moments that make us stronger! I felt a slight discomfort during the game, but nothing that will stop me. Now fully focused on what's ahead."
Meanwhile, Harvey Elliott is diligently following his personalised fitness regime throughout the international hiatus, with ambitions of an expedited comeback from a foot fracture. Elliott sustained the injury during September's international break while representing Englands Under-21s, and he harboured hopes of being match-fit for the upcoming game against Chelsea this month.
Nonetheless, given Liverpool's current ample midfield options, there's no urgency to hasten Elliott's return to the pitch. The club is opting for a cautious approach to reintegrate the 21-year-old back into senior team activities at the AXA Training Centre.
