Double blow for the Reds as Alisson and Ekitike pick up injuries in Champions League defeat
Liverpool’s challenging European campaign took another difficult turn on Wednesday night, as their 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray at the imposing RAMS Park in Istanbul was overshadowed by injury concerns that could significantly impact their immediate domestic prospects. The Reds not only suffered a setback in their Champions League ambitions but also saw two crucial players forced off the pitch with injuries that cast serious doubt over their availability for this weekend’s high-stakes Premier League encounter against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Alisson’s Injury: A Major Setback
The most concerning development from the Turkish capital involves first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, who was forced to leave the field in the second half after sustaining an injury while making what appeared to be a routine save. The Brazilian international, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier goalkeepers, went down after denying Victor Osimhen in a one-on-one situation, a moment that initially seemed like another example of his world-class shot-stopping ability.
However, the immediate aftermath told a different story. As Alisson sprinted back to his goal line, he felt something give way, a sensation that any athlete dreads. The sight of the goalkeeper going to ground and signaling to the bench sent ripples of concern through the Liverpool traveling contingent, and those fears were quickly confirmed when he was unable to continue.
Manager Arne Slot addressed the media in his post-match press conference with a frank assessment of the situation, his words doing little to ease supporters’ worries. “When he sprinted back he felt something,” Slot explained, his tone suggesting he already anticipated the worst. “I cannot tell you exactly because I am not a physio, but normally when a player sprints back, feels something, goes to the floor and doesn’t come back onto the pitch, it’s not good.”
The Dutch manager’s experience in football has taught him to read these situations quickly, and his instincts rarely prove wrong. “If my player is on the floor, I nine out of 10 times fear the worst – and by the worst I mean he cannot continue. That’s what happened with Alisson,” he continued, painting a picture that suggests this isn’t just a minor knock that can be shaken off.
When pressed on Alisson’s availability for the Chelsea fixture, Slot was remarkably direct, offering supporters little hope of seeing their number one between the posts at Stamford Bridge. “Normally, he will not be able to play Saturday. That’s 99.9 per cent – I’ve already said 100 per cent, but let’s make it 99.9, although I think it’s 100,” he stated, the slight hedge in his certainty doing nothing to mask the reality that Liverpool will need to turn to their backup goalkeeper for one of their most challenging fixtures of the season.
Ekitike Adds to Injury Woes
As if losing Alisson wasn’t enough to contend with, Liverpool’s injury troubles multiplied just minutes later when forward Hugo Ekitike became the second casualty of the evening. The French striker was replaced on 68 minutes after going to ground while stretching to reach a ball played forward, an innocuous-looking moment that nonetheless resulted in him being unable to continue.
Slot provided insight into the circumstances surrounding Ekitike’s withdrawal, noting the difficulty in assessing such injuries in the immediate aftermath. “He felt something when he had to reach for the ball,” the manager explained. “I think we all know which one it was when we were trying to force something. I think at that moment in time, on the other side there was someone on the floor as well, so the referee blew his whistle and I wasn’t even thinking we had an injury, but Hugo felt something.”
The confusion in the moment was understandable, with play stopping for what seemed like an entirely different reason, only for Liverpool to discover they had lost another player to injury. This type of situation presents particular challenges for medical staff and coaches alike, as the adrenaline of match action can often mask the true severity of an injury.
Slot elaborated on this phenomenon, highlighting why immediate post-match assessments can be misleading. “After the game, that’s always the difficult thing with these moments when players feel like it is not too bad, but when you just walk around it is something different than when you make a sprint or have to shoot on target,” he noted, acknowledging the gap between feeling manageable discomfort and being genuinely match-fit.
Unlike with Alisson, where the prognosis seems almost certain, Ekitike’s situation remains more ambiguous. The forward indicated he couldn’t continue in Istanbul, but the full extent of his injury won’t be known until Liverpool’s medical staff have had the opportunity to conduct thorough assessments. “He said he couldn’t continue so we had to take him off. Let’s see how he is for the weekend,” Slot concluded, leaving the door slightly ajar for a potential recovery.
Implications for the Chelsea Fixture
The timing of these injuries could hardly be worse for Liverpool. Chelsea away has historically been one of the most demanding fixtures in the English football calendar, and facing them without your first-choice goalkeeper represents a significant handicap. Alisson’s presence provides not just shot-stopping excellence but also command of the penalty area, distribution quality, and leadership that helps organize the entire defensive structure.
His likely replacement will need to step up in one of the most pressure-packed environments in football, facing a Chelsea side that will undoubtedly look to test a backup goalkeeper early and often. The psychological impact of losing such an influential player cannot be understated, particularly given the short turnaround between the Galatasaray defeat and the trip to West London.
Ekitike’s potential absence presents different challenges. While the forward’s availability remains uncertain pending medical assessment, losing attacking options limits Slot’s tactical flexibility and puts additional pressure on the remaining forwards to deliver. The cumulative effect of potentially losing both players creates selection headaches that extend beyond simple like-for-like replacements.
Looking Ahead
Liverpool now face an anxious wait as their medical team works to determine the full extent of both injuries. The club will be hoping for positive news, particularly regarding Ekitike, though Slot’s comments suggest they’re already planning for life without Alisson for at least the immediate future.
The coming days will be crucial as Liverpool prepare for their Stamford Bridge assignment. Training sessions will be monitored closely, with particular attention paid to how both players progress and whether either can defy the initial pessimistic assessments. For now, though, Liverpool supporters must brace themselves for the likelihood of heading to Chelsea already playing from behind in terms of available personnel.
The situation serves as another reminder of football’s unforgiving nature, where success requires not just talent and tactics but also the good fortune to keep your best players fit during the most demanding periods of the season. For Liverpool, that fortune has temporarily run out at a particularly inopportune moment.
Further updates on player availability will be provided as Liverpool continue their assessments ahead of Saturday’s Premier League fixture.
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The Liverpool FC Times Team
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