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Alisson, goalkeeper of Liverpool, reacts in the Premier League game against Watford FC at Vicarage Road in Watford, England, February 29, 2020. /VCG
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool revealed a piece of terrible news for the team on Friday. Alisson, the Reds' starting goalkeeper, will have to rest for a week and will miss the Premier League game against Bournemouth on Saturday and the UEFA Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on March 11.
"Unfortunately Ali is out. He had in training before the Chelsea game a little incident, we all thought it was nothing, it was clear he wasn't going to play anyway, the plan was he was going to be on the bench. We thought we didn't have to take any risk and so we left him out of the squad. He had a scan the next day and they found something and he's out," said Klopp at the pre-game press conference on Friday.
This may be the last thing Liverpool fans want to hear.
The team currently lead the Premier League and the second Manchester City trail by 22 points. The title is basically half into Liverpool's pocket so Alisson's absence should not be a problem.
Felipe (L) of Atletico Madrid and Roberto Firmino (R) of Liverpool battle for the ball in the first-leg game of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 at Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, February 18, 2020. /VCG
However, the Champions League game against Atletico Madrid is a totally different story. In the first-leg competition at Metropolitano Stadium on February 18, Liverpool lost 1-0. They will meet the Spanish club at Anfield which should be their advantage. Nonetheless, playing at home also means Liverpool cannot afford to lose more goals.
According to the away goals rule, if Atletico Madrid score one goal at Anfield, Liverpool will need to get at least three goals to knock the opponents out. Considering that the Reds exerted themselves to the most but scored nothing at Metropolitano Stadium, it's hard to imagine that they will be able to break Atletico Madrid's impenetrable defense three times at home.
Adrian, goalkeeper of Liverpool, reacts after losing a goal in the FA Cup Round of 16 game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London, England, March 3, 2020. /VCG
Spanish goalkeeper Adrian is expected to replace Alisson but his name can only make Liverpool fans worry even more. One of the major reasons that the Reds were eliminated from the FA Cup by Chelsea on Tuesday was the disappointing performance by Adrian. At the 13th minute, Adrian tried to stop a shot by Willian but somehow he got the ball into his own goal. In the end, Liverpool lost 2-0 to Chelsea.
"That's season over, he (Adrian)'s going to have to sit and have a watching brief for the rest of the season," said Rob Green, former goalkeeper of the English national team.
Please try to imagine Liverpool fans' feelings when they have to rely on Adrian at home against Atletico Madrid on March 11.
