Latest Alisson injury makes Liverpool's transfer decision become crystal clear

It seemed strange when Liverpool signed Giorgi Mamardashvili as Alisson's long-term replacement, but now their thinking is clear

At the time, it seemed strange Liverpool signed a long-term replacement for Alisson when the Brazilian was only 31 and still had three years left on his Reds deal.

Alisson had turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia because he was adamant his future was still at Anfield. It seemed even more odd because Liverpool did not sign anyone as potential replacements for key men Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, even though they could leave on frees in July.

But six weeks on and it is clear why Liverpool wanted Giorgi Mamardashvili. Liverpool don’t have any concerns about Alisson’s form, and he has been outstanding this season. But they do have worries when it comes to his injury record.

Alisson’s hamstring injury will keep him out for weeks and Slot has already ruled him out of Liverpool’s next game against Chelsea on October 20. It is doubtful if the South American will play again this month and Liverpool are waiting for the results of scans to determine the extent of the injury.

This is already Alisson’s second lay-off of the campaign and he missed two games last month with a thigh problem. His injury record becomes even more alarming when looked at in total and this is his fifth spell on the sidelines through a knock or ill health in the last 11 months.

Alisson missed 13 matches in the spring with another hamstring issue, one game in February with a virus and 12 days last winter with a muscular problem. In all he has been absent 12 times since he joined from Roma for £66.8million in 2018 through injury or illness.

This could be excused if he was a hard-tackling midfielder or defender and the unfortunate truth is he has become injury prone. Liverpool decided in the summer they needed proper cover and were not satisfied with Caoimhin Kelleher.

Image: Rico Brouwer/Getty Images) Rico Brouwer/Getty Images)

Kelleher was superb as he helped carry Liverpool towards the Quadruple, winning the Carabao Cup at the end of February, before the wheels came off their season in March. The Republic of Ireland No 1’s form dipped, as it did for all of his team-mates, and Liverpool decided he would not be Alisson’s long-term successor.

Instead they paid Valencia an initial £25million for Mamardashvili and the Georgian international will arrive at Anfield next summer after remaining on loan in Spain. Until then, Liverpool need Kelleher and they blocked a move to Nottingham Forest in August because they did not want to lose him before next summer.

The Irishman was ruled out through illness at Crystal Palace on Saturday and instead Czech Vitezslav Jaros replaced Alisson to make his Reds debut. Jaros spent the second half of the last campaign on loan at Sturm Graz after a spell at Stockport two seasons ago and insists he is ready if Slot needs him.

“Yeah, definitely,” he said. “I went on a few loans in the past, which I think got me ready, and I’ve played quite a few games now. I’m ready, I’m available to play whenever.”

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