Ahead of the clash at Newcastle United tomorrow night, Liverpool manager Arne Slot indicated that Alisson is still only about 50% fit, and that his return to action would come by the end of the month. So for the time being, Caoimhin Kelleher remains the first choice goalkeeper. Slot explained why he won’t be making the switch right now:
“That would not be good for Alisson and it would not be good for the team. He’s getting there, it might take a few more extra days, but he’s getting closer.”
Liverpool FC at Newcastle United FYIs
Kickoff: Wed. December 4, 7:30pm, St. James Park, Newcastle, UK
Preview Content for Both Sides: Team News Starting XI Prediction
Google Result Probability: Newcastle United 22% Liverpool 55% Draw 23%
PL Form, Position: Newcastle United LWWLD, 19 pts, 11th Liverpool DWWWW, 34 pts, 1st
“Like I’ve always said, the end phase of a rehab is always the period where you feel like ‘okay, is he really there or does he need extra days?’ But he will be in goal before the end of December if things continue like they are now.”
Let’s take a look at who the outfield players, ahead of/joining Kelleher, in the lineup will be.
Starting XI Predictions
Liverpool FC
Caoimhin Kelleher; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister; Mo Salah, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo; Darwin Nunez
Newcastle United
Nick Pope; Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Lewis Hall; Sean Longstaff, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes; Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Harvey Barnes
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter.