BSP-07 Alisson injury mars Liverpool’s strong start

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BSP-07

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Alisson injury mars Liverpool’s strong start

LIVERPOOL, Aug 10, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Liverpool could be without
inspirational goalkeeper Alisson Becker for a number of weeks after the
Brazilian suffered a calf injury in Friday’s 4-1 thrashing of Norwich to
kick-off the Premier League season in style.

The European champions are aiming to end a 30-year wait to win the Premier
League after missing out by only one point to Manchester City last season and
laid down an early marker in the title race by racing into a 4-0 lead before
half-time.

Norwich captain Grant Hanley’s hapless own goal just seven minutes in set
the tone for what could be a long season for the Canaries before Mohamed
Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Divock Origi netted as Liverpool shot out of the
blocks.

However, the Reds’ joy was curtailed when Alisson pulled up after kicking
the ball clear from a routine goal kick and needed support to limp off the
field.

“Nothing bad to say about the game apart from Ali’s injury,” said Liverpool
manager Jurgen Klopp, who confirmed his number one will miss Wednesday’s UEFA
Super Cup clash with Chelsea in Istanbul.

“We have to see how serious it is and deal with it.”

Alisson kept 20 clean sheets in his first Premier League season and was
also instrumental in Liverpool’s Champions League triumph.

Spanish goalkeeper Adrian only joined Liverpool this week on a free
transfer after Simon Mignolet departed to join Club Brugge.

But the former West Ham stopper could now have a huge role to play in the
coming weeks to ensure Klopp’s men cede no early ground in the title race to
City with tricky matches against Southampton and Arsenal to come.

Friday’s game was already won before Alisson departed as from Origi’s low
cross, Hanley’s wild hack at a clearance flashed beyond Tim Krul in the
Norwich goal.

A Golden Boot winner in each of the past two seasons, Salah then opened his
account for the season with a calm finish from Roberto Firmino’s pass on 19
minutes.

– Ranting Klopp –

Despite a comfortable lead, Klopp was soon ranting at his players for
letting their guard down as only a brilliant save from Alisson prevented
Marco Stiepermann from halving Norwich’s deficit.

Seconds later and it was 3-0 as Norwich’s dreadful defending was exposed
again to leave Van Dijk free to head home from a Salah corner.

Origi was also left carelessly unmarked to make it 4-0 with a simple header
from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross.

Liverpool could have piled on more pain for the visitors at the start of
the second half as Jordan Henderson hit the bar, Firmino fluffed a glorious
chance at the back post and Salah curled just wide.

However, it was promoted Norwich’s adventure that was rewarded as moments
after Moritz Leitner crashed a shot against the bar, Teemu Pukki pounced to
drill low past Adrian.

“We wanted to start with some points but unbelievably happy with the
character of my team,” said Norwich manager Daniel Farke, who insisted he
will not curb his side’s attacking intent despite the step up in quality.

“We have to stick to our beliefs. Of course we have to defend a bit more
solid but my injured players are coming back and this was a lesson for some
of my players because small details can make a big difference.

“This squad is made for playing this football. We have to stick to our
principles, if we park the bus we have not chance in this league.”

BSS/AFP/GMR/0848 hrs