As another boring international break winds to a close it’s time to look ahead to Liverpool FC hosting Newcastle United, the very first clash of 2019-20 Premier League match day five. Liverpool’s No. 1 Alisson Becker injured his calf in the season opening route over Norwich City and his return date has not been set yet.
However, Reds goalkeeping coach John Achterberg is happy with the Brazilian’s progress, and he has detailed that to the club’s website. Achterberg said that Alisson has been rehabbing with a famous World Cup alpine ski racer.
“Ali has been working with Dave [Rydings] in the gym a lot to improve the strength and try to keep the fitness levels up,” Achterberg said.
“In the last few days he has been out on the pitch to do some catching and footwork, as well as small passing drills.
“He has made steady progress, but it is difficult to say how long it will take or how it will progress. It needs time and we cannot look too far ahead, so we take each day as it comes, see how he feels, and then make progress from that.”
Liverpool FC vs Newcastle United FYIs
Kickoff: Anfield, Sept. 14, 12:30 pm
Google Result Probability: Liverpool FC win 84%, Draw 11%, Newcastle United 5%
Odds via FOXBet: Liverpool FC win -650, Draw +600, Newcastle United +1700
We won’t see Alisson against the Magpies this weekend, but the back-up keeper, Adrian, has done a fine job thus far filling in. Achterberg discussed just how difficult it is for anybody to be thrown into the fire/hit the ground running immediately at a new club, like Adrian did when he moved over this summer.
“It is really difficult for anyone to replace Ali, especially when you’ve not had a chance to settle and pick everything up,” Achterberg continued.
“He had to be straight in after maybe four or five sessions. Then we had two more sessions, played the Super Cup final and then he got the injury, so there was not a lot of time to do extra training.
“Coming to Liverpool, there are high expectations but he has dealt with them really well.”
“He has stayed calm and relaxed and shown a positive, confident manner, which helps the team a lot.”
“We thought it would be beneficial to do some more sessions to keep it going, really. We did some decent workouts with him. Distribution, crosses, speed and reactions, power — we worked a little bit on everything just to help him and keep him fit and ready.”
“He also had a few days off, but not the full week. We kept it ticking over to make sure he is ready to go again.”
Liverpool head into week five topping the table and as the league’s only side not to drop points yet.
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