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Alisson Says He Missed Liverpool Games to Prioritise World Cup 2026

The admission raises questions about player prioritisation, injury management, club morale, backup planning

Overview

  • Alisson told Estadao, as reported on Friday, that skipping late-season Liverpool matches was "part of the plan" to arrive fully fit for the 2026 World Cup.
  • The goalkeeper suffered a hamstring problem in March that kept him out until the final-day match against Brentford, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman stepping in while he recovered.
  • Carlo Ancelotti has included Alisson in Brazil’s World Cup squad and multiple outlets report he is expected to start Brazil’s opening Group C game against Morocco.
  • The public admission has prompted debate among supporters and commentators about a player prioritising international duty over club fixtures during a difficult season at Anfield.
  • At 33, with prior hamstring issues and the tournament possibly his last World Cup, the decision illustrates modern load management choices and could influence how clubs and players handle late-season fitness trade-offs.