Liverpool's Alisson Faces Extended Absence as Isak Eyes Return in Cup Clash
Liverpool have been dealt a significant injury blow with first-choice goalkeeper Alisson set for an extended spell on the sidelines, casting a shadow over their upcoming crucial fixtures. The Brazilian shot-stopper will miss the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City this weekend and both legs of the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, dealing a major setback to manager Arne Slot's plans.
Goalkeeper Crisis Deepens for Reds
Alisson, who previously missed Liverpool's defeat to Brighton before the international break, is suffering from a muscle problem that requires additional recovery time. Head coach Arne Slot confirmed the worrying news, stating: "He will not be part of the Paris Saint-Germain game. He will be out for a bit longer. Towards the end of the season we expect him to be fit."
This means Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise between the posts for the foreseeable future, adding pressure to Liverpool's defensive unit during a critical period of their season. The absence of their star goalkeeper comes at the worst possible time as Liverpool face two of Europe's most formidable attacking sides in quick succession.
Isak's Potential Return Offers Glimmer of Hope
In more positive news for Liverpool supporters, striker Alexander Isak could make his first appearance of 2026 during Saturday's showdown at the Etihad Stadium. The £125 million forward has been sidelined since December after breaking his leg immediately following his goal against Tottenham, subsequently undergoing ankle surgery.
Slot tempered expectations about Isak's involvement, explaining: "It will definitely be too fast to expect him in the starting line-up. He has trained with us yesterday for the first time and today will be the second time after exactly 101 days. It will take a bit of time to give him a lot of minutes but we will make sure we do the right thing in terms of building him up."
The manager acknowledged the additional complication of potential extra-time in the FA Cup quarter-final, noting: "What I mean is it could go to extra time so that makes it even more complicated if we bring him in and we think he can only play 10 minutes and bring him on and then it goes to extra time. Of course, we can take him off again if we have enough players available. Maybe a few minutes but let's wait and see how he is today, how he feels about it himself."
Salah Fit for Return as Frimpong Monitored
Mohamed Salah, who has announced he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season, is fit to return after missing the Brighton match. Slot confirmed: "He trained with us yesterday [Thursday] and will train today and is available for the game." The Egyptian forward has only sat out one game recently, providing a much-needed boost to Liverpool's attacking options.
Meanwhile, defender Jeremie Frimpong came off during the Netherlands' draw with Ecuador while on international duty, but Slot expects his compatriot to be available for selection. However, the manager expressed caution about risking the summer signing, stating: "As we know, we don't have eight right-backs available," highlighting Liverpool's defensive depth concerns.
With Alisson's absence creating uncertainty at the back and Isak's potential return offering attacking promise, Liverpool face a challenging period as they navigate multiple competitions simultaneously. The coming weeks will test Slot's squad management and tactical adaptability during this injury-disrupted phase of their campaign.
