Liverpool goalkeeper coach gives positive Alisson injury update but Arsenal clash comes too soon
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LIVERPOOL goalkeeper coach John Achterberg has given a positive update on Alisson's return from injury, but Saturday's clash with Arsenal is set to come too soon.
The Reds current No1, 26, picked up a knock in the first half of the season-opening win over Norwich at Anfield.
The Brazilian was ruled out for four to six weeks after scans later showed that the former Roma goalkeeper had torn his calf.
And Achterberg hinted that Alisson would be aiming to return when Liverpool host Newcastle after the international break next month.
Speaking to , he said: “Ali is good.
"He’s in every day for treatment and they try to improve things. He’s able to do some fitness work in the gym without using his leg.
"It’s difficult, but you have to try to look forward and be positive. You have to try to turn a negative into a positive.
“They haven’t given us a specific time he’ll be out as it’s difficult to say how quickly it will heal. That’s all with the medics.
Ali is good. It’s difficult, but you have to try to look forward and be positive. You have to try to turn a negative into a positive.
"There’s an international break coming up and we’ll have to wait and see how long it takes after that.
“When something like that happens, you look at everything. Had the training load changed?
"The reality is that we hadn’t done anything differently in the build-up to that game. Ali felt fine. We have a rule with the goalies that if there’s any kind of issue you always have to talk.
“He actually came back in much better shape this summer than last year when we first signed him. It was all positive and that makes what happened so frustrating for everyone.”
Summer signing Adrian has been deputising in Alisson's absence, with the Spaniard becoming the shootout hero in the UEFA Super Cup.
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However, the 32-year-old followed that up with a howler against Southampton, although Liverpool held on to secure back-to-back league wins.
The Reds are also without Naby Keita as they look to continue their perfect start against Arsenal, with Nathaniel Clyne the only other long-term absentee for Jurgen Klopp.
Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson are expected to be back into the fold after the duo were rested for the trip to St Mary's, following their exploits in Istanbul.