Why Liverpool star Alisson was late to pre-season training

Liverpool’s No.1 Alisson Becker was the last to return to pre-season training and did not come back with the other six players who had been involved in the latter stages of international competitions.

The Brazilian shot stopper had been given an extended break following a season hampered by injury, in which he missed a number of games for Liverpool.

Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez all reported back for pre-season duty on Sunday following the conclusion of the first-team squad's tour of the United States.

Caoimhin Kelleher has impressed in the Reds US pre-season tour but it is no secret that Alisson will remain the No.1 at Liverpool this season.

Despite not yet having featured for Arne Slot, it is expected that Alisson will be back on the pitch sooner rather than later.

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Why did Alisson need such a long break?

Brazil only made it to the quarterfinals of the Copa America and this may have some people wondering why Alisson has been afforded a longer break than some of his team mates who played in their respective international competitions, with Alexis Mac Allister joining up with the Reds for the final leg of their US tour.

One answer could be the ‘keeper’s injury record. In three of the last four seasons Alisson has missed 10 or more games due to injury. An extended break could be an attempt to completely rest and reset his body ahead of another high tempo season.

Since joining Liverpool Alisson has played a total of 23,665 minutes for the Reds. This is a huge number and when put into perspective against some other Liverpool stars’ minutes it begins to make sense why Alisson may need a rest.

In the same time period Trent Alexander-Arnold has played only 21,842. It is plausible to think that the sheer amount of football Alisson has played at Liverpool may have taken a toll on the 31-year-old.

Liverpool’s goalkeeping situation

There has been plenty of interest in Alisson this summer and although it looked at one point that the No.1 may be close to leaving, all signs now point to Alisson staying in Merseyside for at least one more season.

Despite plans for Liverpool’s current second choice ‘keeper to stay put this season too, Kelleher still desires a move away from the Reds to properly assert himself as a first choice ‘keeper.

This has led to reports that Liverpool have a serious interest in bringing in Georgian ‘keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. Some reports also suggest that the new ‘keeper would be sent out on loan for a season and that he is being recruited as Alisson’s long-term heir and not directly to replace Kelleher.

Vítězslav Jaroš, who spent last season on loan in Austria, is also expected to step up into the first-team squad following the departure of veteran goalkeeper Adrián.