Alisson Becker injury hint dropped as Liverpool awaits goalkeeper's return
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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesAlissonAlisson Becker's inclusion in Brazil's provisional World Cup squad suggests Liverpool's goalkeeper is recovering from his hamstring injury ahead of the season finaleLiverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker could return to the team before the end of the season(Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)Brazil have offered an encouraging fitness update regarding Alisson Becker by including the Liverpool goalkeeper in their provisional squad for the World Cup.Alisson has been confirmed amongst 55 players named in the initial selection by Selecao manager Carlo Ancelotti for next month's finals in North America. The 33 year old has been absent for the last nine Reds fixtures with his latest hamstring complaint, having been unavailable for considerable periods during the last three seasons.Liverpool had originally anticipated Alisson's return by the end of April, but the goalkeeper - who has been heavily linked with a move to Juventus - has remained unavailable for this month's defeat at Manchester United and home draw with Chelsea.READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news and rumors today LIVE: Xabi Alonso to Chelsea, Mbappe 'plan', Diomande latestREAD MORE: Gary Neville already told Xabi Alonso why he could be making a mistake with ChelseaDuring his absence, Giorgi Mamardashvili stepped in until sustaining a nasty wound at Everton, after which third-choice Freddie Woodman featured until Mamardashvili's return at the weekend, reports the Liverpool Echo.The Reds are awaiting confirmation on whether Alisson will be fit for Friday's trip to Aston Villa before they conclude the campaign at home to Brentford on Sunday week.
Arne Slot's side still require three points to guarantee Champions League qualification.Nevertheless, Brazil's decision to name the Liverpool man in their provisional squad indicates any fitness worry is nearing resolution.Alisson Becker has been sidelined with an injury in recent weeks(Image: Getty Images)Despite Liverpool recently activating the clause to extend Alisson's contract by an additional 12 months, the goalkeeper has become a prime target for Juventus, with Italian reports suggesting discussions have already commenced between the Serie A club and his camp.Reds manager Slot has also recently acknowledged that the club may face a significant decision regarding the long-term future of a player who has been at the club for eight years.Speaking at his press conference on Friday, Slot insisted he wasn't thinking about the goalkeeper's future, hinting that it would be a decision made by those above him at the club.READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe 'alerts' Liverpool to transfer again amid Real Madrid turmoilREAD MORE: Chelsea's date to appoint new head coach as Xabi Alonso deadline emerges"I am only focused on the short-term future, and that is getting him back into goal as soon as possible," Slot said."The answer is going to be that all these rumors that are out there about him and about probably me and about others, we don't react to rumors in this room, also not in my conversations with [sporting director] Richard [Hughes]."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 as possible for the club he loves to play for and then he wants to be in goal for the country he wants to play for, that is Brazil. I think that is already the short and mid-term future."Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Alisson