Alisson Becker to miss Liverpool's European Super Cup final date with Chelsea

Liverpool goalkeeper injured during Premier League opener

Saturday 10 August 2019 07:31, UK

Alisson Becker was forced off in Liverpool's opening Premier League game of the season with a calf injury and will now miss Wednesday's European Super Cup final.

The European champions were 3-0 up against Norwich when Alisson went down after his left leg buckled as he prepared to take a 36th-minute goal kick.

The Brazil international was replaced by Adrian, who was handed a surprise debut for his new club after only joining Liverpool earlier this week as a free agent following his release from West Ham at the end of last season.

Liverpool went on to beat Norwich 4-1, and after the game boss Jurgen Klopp confirmed Alisson will miss the European Super Cup final against Europa League winners Chelsea in Istanbul on Wednesday night.

"It's a calf injury," Klopp said.

"He felt as if something hit him from the back. He won't be ready for Wednesday, I can say that already.

"It is not good but we will find a solution and move on," added the German.

The player himself thanked fans for their messages on social media and vowed to come back stronger.

Liverpool visit Southampton for their next Premier League game on Saturday August 17.

Speaking during his post-match press conference, Klopp added: "It's not good for us. We have to see how serious it is. It's a calf, that's it. He couldn't carry on, that's not a good sign. From all of my experience he will not play (in the Super Cup final against Chelsea). He is injured, I cannot say how much until the scan, but he is injured."

'We're short on goalkeepers'

Whether Klopp is able to select a goalkeeper on the bench for the Super Cup remains to be seen with the Liverpool boss admitting his options are extremely short with the other goalkeeper in the senior squad, Caoimhin Kelleher, recovering from a broken hand.

"Caoimhin is back in training but he's not 100 per cent, we have to see how he reacts now," he said.

"One of the younger ones is not allowed to play, he's only 16, and the other one had an elbow injury early in the pre-season. So yeah, we're a bit short in that position."

However, Klopp expressed confidence in Adrian's ability to step in for Alisson.

"He is a very confident guy," he said. "He came in and I don't think he wanted to only sit on the bench for the next couple of years. He made himself ready.

"So yes, it's a situation, but if you are in a situation like this you want to have somebody who played the league, who is experienced. He's 32, he's a calm guy, good with his feet. So a lot of good things.

"But you still don't want to have a situation where [only] one goalie is fit. That's how it is but we have to see."

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