NewsInjury latest: Fitness updates on Alisson Becker and Federico Chiesa

Liverpool’s No.1 has been out since early October due to a muscle complaint but is progressing well in his recovery, Arne Slot said this morning.

The head coach also reported Federico Chiesa is back in team training following his own spell on the sidelines.

Slot was asked during his pre-Newcastle United press conference whether he will have a ‘big decision’ to make regarding the goalkeeper position when Alisson is available again, given Caoimhin Kelleher’s excellent form.

“I feel I always have a big decision to make in every line-up I have to make,” he replied.

“So, if you look at our last game against [Manchester] City, I didn’t play Darwin [Nunez], I didn’t play Curtis [Jones], I didn’t play Wata [Endo], I don’t play Harvey Elliott and Jarell Quansah and probably I forget one or two now [like] Tyler Morton.

“So, it’s always big decisions you have to make as the manager of Liverpool because we have so many quality players, but I think I have been clear a few weeks ago about what my position is about our goalkeepers.

“But we are just waiting for the moment that Alisson is completely fit because Caoimh is doing too well to put Alisson in goal if he is only on 50 per cent [fitness] and that would not be good for Alisson and not be good for the team.

“He’s getting there. It might take a few more extra days but he’s getting closer and closer and like I’ve always said the end phase of rehab is always the period where you feel like, ‘OK, is he really there or does he need a few extra days?’

“But he will be in goal before the end of December if things continue like they are.”