Arne Slot discussed Alisson’s future. (Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has conceded that Liverpool may face a significant decision on Alisson Becker’s future this summer, amid mounting speculation about the goalkeeper. Alisson has emerged as a priority target for Juventus, with reports emerging from Italy this week suggesting the Brazilian’s representatives are set to hold talks with the Serie A giants over the weekend.
Liverpool recently triggered the clause to extend the 33-year-old’s contract by a further year, a move designed to prevent the shot-stopper from departing on a free transfer at the end of the campaign. Alisson has been increasingly troubled by hamstring problems and looks set to remain sidelined for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, with Freddie Woodman poised for his first top-flight start since 2021 following the injury absence of regular deputy Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Liverpool are already bracing themselves for yet another major squad shake-up in the upcoming transfer window, with seasoned pair Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah both heading for the exit door.
When quizzed on whether the club could afford to lose another experienced figure, Slot said: “I think the club is run in a certain way and we make decisions that the club thinks are in the best interests of the club. And it could mean this is the reason why. It could mean another good argument why we acted how we acted.
“I think the history of all the transfers shows that nothing was done without a purpose or without thinking about it.
“Look, the people who make these decisions take everything into account. They try to make the best decisions with the interest of the club.
“It (experience) is definitely one argument to keep him but there are other arguments. That is a decision the club has to make if that is needed. In the end, he still has one year.”
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Back-to-back Premier League victories mean Liverpool now need nine points from their final five fixtures to secure a top-five finish and Champions League qualification.
Slot, however, is declining to assess the success or failure of such an outcome, believing a challenging task remains incomplete.
“I would love to say a lot about that after we qualify, which is not as easy as people think at this moment because for a long time people were questioning, questioning, questioning and now all of a sudden people think it is ‘job done’ but it definitely isn’t,” he said.
Arne Slot admits that Alisson could leave Liverpool. (Image: Getty Images)
“Two weeks ago we were in a very difficult place and two weeks on we are in a good place, so that means in this Premier League in two weeks things can be different.
“We all know difficult Palace is, we all know how difficult United away is, we all know Chelsea, Villa away and then Brentford to go. So a tough fixture list but everyone has a tough fixture list as every fixture is tough.”
Palace could make history by becoming the first side ever to defeat Liverpool four times in a single season, having already beaten the Reds in the Community Shield, the League Cup and in their league encounter at Selhurst Park.
However, Slot has explained how the dramatic nature of last Sunday’s derby victory at Everton has injected renewed energy into the training ground atmosphere.
“I think we’ve had big moments that have either got us a setback straight afterwards – making it 3-2 at Leeds and 2-1 at Fulham were big moments – but they ended up as draws, or we had big wins but then straight afterwards I had two or three injuries again,” he said.
“Unfortunately that also happened against Everton, where we had that big moment and could celebrate with the fans and there was a great interaction but then Giorgi Mamardashvili is out.
“But I think we have all felt the positivity around the club this week. I wouldn’t say for the first time this season but not as many times as we were hoping for this season.
“We have to bring that momentum towards Crystal Palace. You can bring positivity into a game but that doesn’t win you the game itself. You have to do a lot of things right against Crystal Palace because they are one of the most difficult teams to play against.”
