Liverpool’s preparations for their crucial Premier League showdown with Chelsea have been hit by a significant setback as two key players — goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Hugo Ekitike — picked up injuries during the mid-week Champions League clash against Galatasaray in Istanbul.
The Reds slumped to a 1-0 defeat on Tuesday night after a first-half penalty from Victor Osimhen, marking their second consecutive loss under manager Arne Slot. While the result itself stung, the bigger concern for Liverpool came from the sight of two starters limping off the pitch, leaving fans and coaches alike worried about their availability for the critical upcoming fixtures.
A Night of Double Setback in Istanbul
Liverpool entered the match looking to bounce back from a disappointing weekend defeat to Crystal Palace, but the evening quickly turned sour. After Osimhen’s spot-kick gave Galatasaray the lead, Liverpool struggled to break down a well-drilled defense and lacked their usual cutting edge in attack.
The defeat, however, was overshadowed by the injuries to two high-profile players. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, widely regarded as one of the world’s best in his position, had to be substituted in the second half with what appeared to be a hamstring problem. Later, Hugo Ekitike, making his return from suspension, also left the field clutching his hamstring.
For a club sitting at the top of the Premier League and aiming for deep runs in Europe, the loss of two such players at a crucial time could have far-reaching implications.
Alisson’s Hamstring Woe
Alisson’s injury occurred in the 56th minute. The 32-year-old Brazilian made a sharp recovery sprint to stop a counterattack but pulled up immediately after, grimacing in pain and signaling to the bench. He was replaced by summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili, who played the remainder of the match.
Speaking after the game, Slot expressed his concern:
“When he sprinted back, he felt something. It’s never positive if you go off like this. He’s definitely not going to play on Saturday.”
According to an update shared by Physio Scout on X (formerly Twitter) on 1 October, Alisson has likely sustained a grade-one or grade-two hamstring strain. Such injuries typically require two to four weeks of recovery, which means the goalkeeper will miss the trip to Stamford Bridge and could also be unavailable for Brazil’s international fixtures against South Korea and Japan during the break.
This is a particularly untimely blow for Liverpool. The Reds have gone five consecutive matches without a clean sheet, and Slot has faced growing criticism for tactical experiments — including playing Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back. Losing Alisson, a key defensive pillar, adds another layer of complexity to a defense already under scrutiny.
The spotlight now shifts to Giorgi Mamardashvili, the 25-year-old Georgian goalkeeper signed during the summer. While highly rated, he has so far featured only in the League Cup, making his upcoming Premier League debut at Stamford Bridge a significant step up in responsibility.
Slot praised Mamardashvili’s readiness but also emphasized the fierce competition at a club of Liverpool’s stature:
“If you want to play for Liverpool, you have to accept there is competition. That’s not only at Liverpool but at every Premier League club. If you don’t want to face competition, it’s not the best place to go.”
Mamardashvili’s shot-stopping ability and composure on the ball have earned him comparisons to some of Europe’s top goalkeepers. Yet playing behind Liverpool’s high defensive line and under the pressure of a pivotal league clash will be a different challenge altogether. A strong performance at Stamford Bridge could cement his case as a reliable deputy — and even a future successor — to Alisson.
Ekitike’s Frustrating Setback
If the injury to Alisson rattled Liverpool’s defensive plans, the blow to Hugo Ekitike further complicated matters in attack. The French forward, who joined Liverpool this summer and had shown glimpses of his potential, pulled up in the 68th minute while stretching for a ball.
Slot shared his thoughts post-match:
“Hugo felt something when he had to reach for the ball. He said he couldn’t continue, so we had to take him off. After the game, that’s always the difficult thing — sometimes it feels not too bad when you’re walking, but it’s different when you have to sprint or shoot on target. We’ll see how he is for the weekend.”
Ekitike’s timing couldn’t have been more unfortunate. The 22-year-old was playing his first match back from suspension after missing the league defeat to Crystal Palace due to two yellow cards — the second picked up for a shirt-off celebration in the Carabao Cup. His presence had been expected to add depth and spark to Liverpool’s forward line, but now the club faces the prospect of another reshuffle in attack.
A Mounting Injury List
The injuries to Alisson and Ekitike add to Liverpool’s growing list of fitness concerns. Promising defender Giovanni Leoni is sidelined long-term with an ACL injury, while winger Federico Chiesa missed the Galatasaray clash due to a minor knock but is expected to return for the Chelsea game.
While Chiesa’s return offers a glimmer of hope, the sudden wave of setbacks has dented the upbeat mood that surrounded Liverpool’s strong start to the season. The club remains top of the Premier League table, but Arsenal’s recent win over Newcastle has cut their lead to just two points. The upcoming trip to Stamford Bridge thus carries even greater significance.
Midfield Voices Call for Perspective
Despite the back-to-back defeats — a rarity under Slot — some Liverpool players have called for calm. Midfielder Curtis Jones reminded fans and pundits alike of the competitive nature of the Premier League and the Champions League:
“You must be mad if you think you can win every game. The reality is these teams you play are world-class teams, and it’s normal if you lose. It’s just about how you bounce back.”
Jones’ words underline the sense that the Chelsea clash is less about panic and more about resilience. The Reds have been in similar situations before, and Slot will be banking on his squad’s depth and mentality to weather this storm.
Tactical Challenges for Arne Slot
In addition to dealing with injuries, Slot faces tactical dilemmas. His recent decision to field Szoboszlai at right-back has raised eyebrows among supporters and analysts. With Alisson absent and Mamardashvili still adapting to life in the Premier League, Liverpool’s defensive stability could be further tested.
On the attacking front, the potential absence of Ekitike could force Slot to tweak his forward options. Chiesa’s anticipated return will help, but the team may need to rely more on Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, or Cody Gakpo to provide the cutting edge.
How Slot manages these adjustments — and whether he can inspire his team to rise above the adversity — will be a key storyline heading into the weekend.
A Pivotal Test at Stamford Bridge
Saturday’s clash against Chelsea is shaping up to be one of the most significant early-season fixtures. Liverpool’s ability to maintain their place at the top of the table while managing injuries will be under intense scrutiny. For Mamardashvili, it’s a golden chance to prove himself in one of the toughest away games of the season. For the team as a whole, it’s an opportunity to show that the early promise of this campaign was no fluke.
Chelsea, buoyed by their own recent improvement, will be eager to exploit Liverpool’s weakened lineup, making the match a crucial test of character for Slot’s side.
The Bigger Picture
Injuries are part and parcel of a long football season, but the timing and nature of these latest setbacks highlight the fine margins that can shape a title race. Liverpool’s squad depth will be put to the test, and the coming weeks may well define their campaigns in both the Premier League and Europe.
Fans will be watching closely, not just to see how quickly Alisson and Ekitike recover, but also to observe how the team adapts without them. As history has often shown, moments of crisis can either derail a season or forge the resilience needed to triumph.
Final Word
Liverpool’s double injury blow is a reminder of how unpredictable and demanding the football calendar can be. With leadership from Slot, the readiness of backups like Mamardashvili, and the return of other key players, the Reds still have the tools to navigate this turbulent period. The immediate challenge, however, lies in responding with conviction against Chelsea — a match that could set the tone for the weeks ahead.
