Evening Standard
·11 December 2024
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·11 December 2024
Alisson returns for the Reds in Spain along with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz
Alisson makes his long-awaited return for Liverpool in tonight’s Champions League clash with Girona.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has missed the last 11 games across all competitions with a hamstring injury, but trained on Monday before being named in Arne Slot’s travelling squad and now replaces deputy Caoimhin Kelleher in the starting lineup.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dominik Szoboszlai and Luis Diaz also return to the XI as Jarell Quansah and Cody Gakpo drop to the bench, with Alexis Mac Allister suspended.
The Reds currently sit top of the Champions League table after amassing maximum points from their five games thus far, having made light work of Real Madrid last time out in their rousing 2-0 victory at Anfield.
While Slot’s side were handed a weekend off after Saturday’s Merseyside derby clash at Everton was postponed following Storm Darragh hitting the UK, the fact that Liverpool are in such a good position could have afforded a potential chance for rotation.
However, manager Slot said at a press conference on Tuesday: “Everybody is really fit, no reason to rotate from the next match.
“We will start with a very good lineup tomorrow.”
Summer signing Federico Chiesa isn’t involved again due to illness, while defenders Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas are all out injured. Diogo Jota was also back in training on Monday after a chest injury but hasn’t travelled to Spain.
Mac Allister is suspended after picking up three yellow cards in the Champions League so far this season, while he will also see his one-match Premier League ban - originally supposed to be served against Everton - carry over to Saturday’s Premier League visit of Fulham.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Jones, Diaz, Salah, Nunez
Subs: Kelleher, Jaros, Endo, Gakpo, Elliott, McConnell, Norris, Quansah
Injured: Bradley, Konate, Tsimikas, Jota, Chiesa (ill)
Suspended: Mac Allister
Time and date: 5:45pm GMT on Tuesday, December 10, 2024
Venue: Estadi Montilivi, Girona
TV channel: TNT Sports
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