Liverpool boss Arne Slot delivers damning Alisson injury update for Chelsea Premier League clash

Alisson Becker was forced off with a hamstring injury during Liverpool's 1-0 win at Crystal Palace and head coach Arne Slot fears the goalkeeper could be sidelined for an extended period

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes goalkeeper Alisson Becker could be facing a lengthy absence after the Brazilian shot-stopper sustained what appears to be another hamstring injury during the win over Crystal Palace. The incident occurred during the latter stages of Liverpool's narrow 1-0 victory on Saturday, leaving Alisson visibly upset as he departed following considerable on-field medical attention.

With back-up keeper Caoimhin Kelleher sidelined due to illness, it was up to Czechia's Vitezslav Jaros to step in for his first-team debut.

Alisson is now set for scans to determine the severity of the injury, which comes as a blow considering his previous hamstring issues - he missed a couple of matches this season and was out for more than two months last campaign with a similar problem.

While there is an international break for the Brazilian to recover, Liverpool face Chelsea immediately after the break - a game in which they would prefer to have their first choice keeper available. Liverpool then face RB Leipzig in the Champions League before playng Arsenal in the Premier League.

Slot did not mince words about the situation, offering a rather pessimistic initial assessment after the game. He said: "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," he said. "It's going to take a few weeks, I assume. I think it is his hamstring."

Slot commented on the goalkeeper situation at Liverpool: "Alisson is our clear number one 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.

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"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."

"Caoimhin has already shown this season that he's quite clearly the number two goalkeeper. He did really well. He was sick yesterday, but it's very pleasing to see even our third goalkeeper can have an impact on results."

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