Liverpool will not rush goalkeeper Alisson back from injury but should be back by the end of the month, manager Arne Slott said ahead of the trip to face Newcastle United.
The Brazilian has been sidelined since early October with a hamstring injury, with Caoimhin Kelleher impressing in his place.
Kelleher saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappe in the Champions League win over Real Madrid and was solid between the posts.
“I think I was clear a few weeks ago about my position on our goalkeepers, but we expect Alisson to be fully fit because Caoimhin is doing very well to put Alisson in goal if he is only 50%,” Slot said to journalists.
“That wouldn’t be good for Alisson and it wouldn’t be good for the team. It’s getting there, it might take a few extra days, but it’s getting there.
“Like I’ve always said, the final phase of rehab is always the time where you feel like, ‘OK, is it really there or does it need extra days?’
“He will be in goal before the end of December if things continue as they are now.”
Irishman Kelleher has kept four clean sheets in his last five games, including against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The man of the moment 👑
We asked American PL fans to describe us @MoSalah in one word ☝️ pic.twitter.com/wkcxuoJOsE
— US Premier League (@PLinUSA) December 2, 2024
Liverpool go to Newcastle on Wednesday with a commanding nine-point lead in the Premier League and are 11 ahead of champions City after beating them on Sunday.
“We know we have a tough week again and as we thought, Real Madrid and Manchester City were tough to deal with,” Slott said. “I think it’s even harder to go to Newcastle away.
“We’re not even halfway through the season yet, but it’s a good position to be in. That’s certainly true.”
“Maybe Mo knows…”
Slott was again asked about striker Mohamed Salah’s future at the club with the Egyptian out of contract at the end of the season and a new deal yet to be agreed.
Salah said after the goal and assist against City that it might be his last home game against them.
“Maybe Mo knows more about the 115 charges for (Manchester City) not being in the Premier League next season and I expect them in the Premier League next season,” Slott said.
“The boring answer is always the same. This isn’t the place to talk about Salah’s contract and maybe I’ve already said too much about the joke I just made.
“This will probably get the headlines. It was a joke. I repeat, it was a joke.”
Manchester City deny 115 alleged breaches of the Premier League’s financial rules, which are the subject of an ongoing independent commission hearing.
