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.
Mamardashvili Ready for Premier League Debut
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.