Liverpool are expected to have goalkeeper Alisson Becker available for their friendly against Athletic Bilbao on Monday, following his absence in recent days due to personal reasons, confirmed by manager Arne Slot.
Background: Alisson’s Absence and Return
Alisson departed Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Asia and returned to Brazil for personal matters, as confirmed by both the club and Slot. He missed the friendly match against Yokohama F. Marinos and won’t feature in that game, but is expected to rejoin the squad at the AXA Training Centre upon their return to the UK.
Friendly vs Athletic Bilbao and Upcoming Fixtures
Liverpool will host Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday, August 4, in a double-header — the first match at 5pm BST and the second at 8pm. That match will be the final tune-up before the Community Shield against Crystal Palace on August 10 and the Premier League opener versus Bournemouth on August 15.
Goalkeeper Competition: Alisson vs Mamardashvili
Alisson faces increased competition in goal after the signing of Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. Although Alisson remains firmly the club’s No. 1, Mamardashvili — a £29–35m acquisition — provides serious depth and long-term succession planning.
Editorial Insight
From both a sporting and human perspective, Liverpool’s handling of Alisson’s absence has been professional and considerate. Allowing him to attend to personal matters and ensuring a seamless return demonstrates solid leadership by Slot and the club.
On the field, Alisson’s return ahead of the Bilbao friendlies is timely. It allows the manager to reintegrate his proven shot-stopper before competitive fixtures begin. Meanwhile, Mamardashvili’s presence adds healthy competition and security for the future.
Ultimately, Liverpool find themselves in a fortunate position: retaining one of the world’s elite goalkeepers while having a promising alternative ready to step up. Balancing continuity and competition could define their goalkeeper situation this season.