Liverpool manager Arne Slot is facing a massive selection headache in goal before the Crystal Palace game. Alisson Becker is trying to return after missing six matches. Slot says the Brazilian is close but his status for Saturday at Anfield is still 50/50. And with backup Giorgi Mamardashvili also out, the situation is getting tense for the Premier League leaders.
The manager spoke to the media on Friday morning about the fitness of his squad. He was asked if his number one would be back in the starting lineup. Slot didn’t give a straight answer. He said they need to see if tomorrow comes too early for the keeper. It’s a big call with a title race on the line.
Alisson has been sidelined for over a month with a muscle injury. He hasn’t played since early March. Reports from ESPN indicate that Slot is being careful with the Brazilian’s recovery. The manager noted that Alisson has an explosive style of play. That makes muscle injuries harder to manage without a risk of another tear.
Goalkeeper Crisis Hits Anfield Before Palace Visit
The timing for this injury trouble is bad for Slot. Liverpool usually rely on Giorgi Mamardashvili when Alisson is out. But the Georgian keeper picked up a knock during the recent win over Everton. That game happened at the Hill Dickinson Stadium last weekend. Now Mamardashvili is expected to be out for several weeks.
If Alisson doesn’t make the cut, Freddie Woodman is the next man up. Woodman joined the club in 2025 but hasn’t played a senior minute for the Reds yet. He’s 29 and has experience in the Championship. But playing for the league leaders at Anfield is a different level of pressure. Sources at Football365 suggest this could be a worrying change for the team’s defensive shape.
Slot was honest about the situation in his press conference. He knows that Woodman is ready to play if called upon. But losing two senior keepers at the same time is rare. And Palace have attackers like Eberechi Eze who can punish any nerves in the box. The fans at Anfield will be checking the team sheet early on Saturday.
“The main focus for Ali is very clear, that is getting back in goal as soon as possible for the club he loves to play for.”
Transfer Speculation and Contract Details
While the injury is the main story, people are talking about Alisson’s future too. There were rumors linking him with a move to Juventus in Italy. Slot didn’t want to hear it though. He shut down the talk by saying Alisson is committed to Liverpool. The club actually activated a one-year extension on his deal last summer.
That means the Brazilian is tied down until June 2027. He’s been at the club since 2018 and has won everything here. 285 matches and 129 clean sheets is a huge record. Slot wants him focused on rehab rather than transfer gossip. According to RousingTheKop, most analysts think he might sit out one more game to be safe.
Liverpool’s defense has been solid this year with a plus 45 goal difference. But the numbers show they concede more goals when Alisson isn’t there. They go from 0.8 goals against per game to 1.2 without him. That’s a jump that could cost points in a tight race. Palace aren’t the biggest team in the league but they’re dangerous on the break.
Goalkeeper Comparison Stats for 2025-26
| Goalkeeper | Appearances | Save % | GA/90 | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alisson Becker | 22 | 78% | 0.92 | Doubtful |
| G. Mamardashvili | 10 | 75% | 1.1 | Out |
| Freddie Woodman | 0 | N/A | N/A | Available |
Gomez Returns but Endo Still a Doubt
There is some better news on the injury front elsewhere. Joe Gomez is back in training and should be available for the weekend. Slot called his return positive for the depth of the back four. Gomez can play across the line which helps if the keeper is inexperienced. Having a veteran like him in front of Woodman might calm things down.
But Wataru Endo is still struggling. He’s progressing with his own recovery but won’t be ready soon. Slot confirmed that Endo is definitely out for the Manchester United game next week. That’s another blow for the midfield rotation. The manager is having to juggle his squad a lot right now with games coming every few days.
The United game is looming large in everyone’s minds. If Alisson misses the Palace game, he has to be ready for Old Trafford. Losing him for a derby would be a disaster. Slot said the medical team is working hard to get him through the final stages of his rehab. It all depends on how the muscle reacts to training today.
Liverpool need a win to stay at the top of the table. A slip against Palace would give hope to the chasing pack. Woodman has a huge chance to prove himself if Alisson isn’t ready. But the fans will be praying the Brazilian walks out of the tunnel on Saturday. The next 24 hours will decide a lot for Liverpool’s season.
