Football news: Slot blames ‘crazy schedule’ for Alisson absence; Livramento blow for Howe

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been sidelined for more than a month with a hamstring injury – his second of the season – and has been linked with Juventus. Photograph: Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been sidelined for more than a month with a hamstring injury – his second of the season – and has been linked with Juventus. Photograph: Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesThe talkLiverpoolFootball news: Slot blames ‘crazy schedule’ for Alisson absence; Livramento blow for HoweLiverpool’s troubled goalkeeping situation in spotlight as Newcastle manager fears for fitness of his England defenderGuardian writers and agenciesFri 24 Apr 2026 18.09 BSTSharePrefer the Guardian on Google1. Slot only focused on Alisson’s immediate futureLiverpool head coach Arne Slot insisted he was only focused on the short-term future of goalkeeper Alisson and that was getting him back into the team after injury. The Brazil international has been sidelined for more than a month with a hamstring injury – his second of the season – and this week was linked with Juventus, even though the club have taken the option to extend his expiring deal by 12 months.Alisson’s unavailability has become more of an issue and that has been thrown into sharp focus with Giorgi Mamardashvili ruled out by a gashed leg sustained in last week’s Merseyside derby victory. It means the 29-year-old third-choice Freddie Woodman is set for his full Premier League debut for the club, having come off the bench against Everton.“I am only focused on the short-term future and that is getting him back into goal as soon as possible,” said Slot on the future of Alisson, who was “close” to a return, according to the head coach. “All these rumours that are out there about him and about probably me and about others, we don’t react to. We only react when facts need to be told and that is not the situation at the moment.“The main focus for Ali is very clear, that is getting back in goal as soon...