Alisson’s return date emerges as pressure builds on Liverpool’s Giorgi Mamardashvili

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Alisson Becker has been out of action for Liverpool lately, and his absence seems to have coincided with a noticeable dip in form.He was in goal for the first loss of the season against Crystal Palace on September 27, and also played against Galatasaray a few days later.But after picking up a hamstring injury during the Istanbul game, he has not featured since.Giorgi Mamardashvili has filled in since then, and overall, he has handled the role well enough.Still, it is clear Mamardashvili is not quite at Alisson’s level. And with Liverpool struggling across the pitch, his absence has definitely been felt.The team will be glad to have him back soon.

And now there is some positive news about when that return could happen.Alisson Becker targeting return against Nottingham ForestPhoto by Michael Regan/Getty ImagesMamardashvili has filled in well during Alisson’s absence, but the results have not been encouraging. Liverpool have lost four of the six matches he has started since then.Alisson has often been a match-winner for Liverpool in the past, and his presence might have given them a better chance in some of those games.The Reds now turn their attention to Nottingham Forest at Anfield, looking to build some momentum ahead of a busy fixture list.The Daily Mail reports that Alisson is hopeful of being back in the squad for that match.There is also news on Jeremie Frimpong, who has missed the last five games.

Alisson’s value to Liverpool is impossible to overstateMamardashvili has stepped in admirably for Alisson over the past six weeks, and at 25, he looks like he could have a long future ahead of him at Anfield.But even so, there is really no substitute for Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper. He is on a different level.There are times when having a top-class keeper can be the difference between winning and losing, and many supporters will feel that things might not have gone quite so wrong if Alisson had not picked up that injury.He was outstanding in his last Premier League outing against Palace, even though it ended in defeat.