New Alisson Becker return date set for October

Journalist James Pearce of The Athletic has revealed Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker will return in “early October”. Pearce appeared in a Q&A session and fielded questions about Liverpool and addressed questions regarding Alisson and the Reds.

The shot-stopper, who has been out since injuring his calf against Norwich City in Liverpool’s first match of the season, has begun rehabbing his leg using an anti-gravity treadmill. The next international break will come in early October and Alisson may not make an appearance for the Reds until their away fixture at Old Trafford on the 20th. That date would actually push Alisson’s return back to mid-to-late October contrasting Pearce’s earlier assessment for return to matches.

Even then, Jurgen Klopp may not field Alisson in goal against one of the Reds’ biggest Premier League rivals. Alisson could return to the bench for the fixture as Adrian’s back-up.

Alisson’s return date is not set in stone and there is a possibility he could return at the end of September or early October just before the next international break. Liverpool have been vague on the injury issue and when the glovesman will definitely return.

Looking at Liverpool’s fixture list up to 20 October, they will play Newcastle United, Napoli, Chelsea, MK Dons, Sheffield United, Red Bull Salzburg, Leicester City, and Manchester United.

There are two fixtures listed in Liverpool’s next seven games in which Alisson could return to be eased back into the squad. Those fixtures are back to back with MK Dons away in the Carabao Cup and Sheffield United in the Premier League. The Carabao Cup match would be an ideal return giving Alisson 90 minutes to play against a League One side. Klopp will most likely rotate his side heavily for the game as Liverpool’s interests lie in the Premier League and Champions League once again this term.

Following it up with an away match against Sheffield United would allow Alisson to further his fitness. If Alisson is to return against any other of the five teams, it would seem a gamble to throw him in after being sidelined with a medium-range injury for first two months of the season. Alisson had a limited preseason due to international duty with Brazil, so giving him time to recoup is necessary.

Adrian has filled in well to this point although there have been some issues. His performance against Burnley was his best of the season and showed he is finally bedding in fully with the defence in front of him. Adrian made a very good save in the opening five minutes diving to low to his right side.

The Spaniard has done well for being thrown into the deep end and the mistakes he made early on are direct evidence of him having zero preseason with the team.