Why is Alisson not taking goal kicks for Liverpool?

Liverpool’s first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker has NOT been taking long goal kicks in recent weeks.

Against Newcastle in the Premier League in late February, and again on Wednesday night against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, he ceded long-kicking duties to Virgil van Dijk.

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Whenever Arne Slot directed his team to hit the ball long into the opposition half from a restart, it was the Dutchman summoned to aim it downfield.

But what’s behind Alisson not taking the goal kicks in recent matches?

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The 32-year-old Brazilian shot-stopper hasn’t had the best of luck injury-wise this season. Back in October, he damaged his hamstring during a Premier League game against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

It meant the former world goalkeeper of the year would miss around two months of action, only returning to the side in early December.

Liverpool's injury prevention plan for Alisson

Caoimhin Kelleher coped admirably in his absence was was forced to stand down when Alisson was back to fitness. His form took a while to restabilise in truth, with Alisson conceding several of the shots on target he faced following his return.

His reluctance to kick the ball long in recent matches - especially at the end of an intense period of fixtures - could be Liverpool’s way of preventing injury.

Ruben Peeters’, Arne Slot’s lead physical performance coach, has been credited with working wonders first at Feyenoord and now at Anfield where time lost to injuries has been reduced.

And so if Liverpool can ensure that Alisson can avoid another injury to his hamstring, Slot will consider it a job well done.

The head coach has made it clear on several occasions that the Brazil international is his No1, despite the quality of Kelleher, and he will be seeking to keep him between the sticks as often as possible.

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Alisson and Kelleher will be joined in the goalkeeping ranks next season by Giorgi Mamardashvili and it remains to be seen what Slot’s plans will be for his No1 position going forward.

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