Just When Liverpool Thought It Couldn’t Get Worse, Alisson Gets Injured

Just when you thought Liverpool’s day couldn’t possibly spiral further down the drain, the universe decided to throw another wrench in the works. During a chaotic Champions League clash against Galatasaray, the one man Liverpool can usually count on, Alisson Becker, was forced off the pitch. Yes, you read that right. The rock, the wall, the man with the magnificent beard, is injured. Again.

The incident happened in the second half, in a moment of pure, unadulterated chaos that has become all too familiar for Liverpool fans lately. An absolutely dreadful pass from Ibrahima Konaté—a real “what were you thinking?” moment—put Ryan Gravenberch under pressure, basically gift-wrapping a chance for Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen. Like the world-class keeper he is, Alisson lunged to make a crucial save, denying the striker and momentarily saving his teammate’s blushes. But the celebration was short-lived.

Alisson stayed down, clutching what appeared to be a leg muscle. The collective groan from the traveling Liverpool supporters probably registered on the Richter scale. After a bit of on-pitch treatment, it was clear he couldn’t continue. Off he went, replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili, leaving fans to chew their nails down to the quick. So far, the club is keeping its cards close to its chest about the severity of the injury, but let’s be honest, it never looks good when your star keeper can’t finish a match.

Is This a Major Headache for Arne Slot?

Is it a headache for boss Arne Slot? Calling it a “headache” is like calling a hurricane a bit of a breeze. This is a full-blown migraine. Coming off a demoralizing defeat to Crystal Palace, the last thing the team needed was another problem. And this isn’t just any problem; it’s an Alisson-sized problem. Before his dramatic exit, Alisson had already had a frustrating night, conceding a penalty in the first half when Dominik Szoboszlai’s flailing arm caught Barış Alper Yılmaz. Osimhen coolly slotted it home, giving Galatasaray the lead and adding to the misery.

You’d think the injury gods would be satisfied after taking down the keeper, but oh no, they were just getting started. Mere moments after Alisson was substituted, Hugo Ekitike also went down, eventually being replaced by Alexis Mac Allister. It looked like a hamstring issue, because of course it did. This club and hamstring injuries have a magnetic attraction.

Will Liverpool’s Injury List Ever End?

At this point, Liverpool‘s injury list is starting to look longer than a CVS receipt. The team is already without Giovanni Leoni, who is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing his ACL. Add Federico Chiesa to the “can’t catch a break” list, as he was left out of the trip to Istanbul entirely due to a knock he picked up in training. It’s almost comical. You have to wonder if the training ground is built on an ancient burial ground or if the players are just cursed.

With a crucial match against Chelsea looming this Saturday, Liverpool is now staring down the barrel of a potential goalkeeping crisis. While Mamardashvili is a capable backup, he’s no Alisson. The Brazilian’s presence, leadership, and frankly, his uncanny ability to pull off miraculous saves, are irreplaceable. Losing him for any significant period could be the nail in the coffin for any early-season momentum Slot was hoping to build.

So, as we all hold our breath waiting for an official update on Alisson, Liverpool fans are left to ponder a familiar, unsettling question: how much more can this team take? It seems every step forward is followed by two painful steps back, usually involving a key player hobbling off the pitch. All fans can do now is pray to whatever football deities are listening that this latest blow isn’t as bad as it looked. But given Liverpool’s luck, nobody’s holding their breath.