Liverpool fans have received a welcome boost ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Crystal Palace.
The Reds begin their 2025/26 campaign at Wembley, facing the FA Cup holders as they look to secure the season’s first piece of silverware—hoping to lift the trophy for the second time in four years.
Darwin Nunez, who scored on his official debut when Liverpool last won the Community Shield in 2022 against Manchester City, won’t be involved this time as he’s set to complete a move to Al-Hilal.
However, another South American star could return in time for the match.
Alisson Back in Training with Liverpool
The club’s official X account shared photos from Thursday’s training session, including one showing Alisson Becker back with the squad and smiling after returning from Brazil, where he had been attending to a personal matter involving his wife’s surgery.
The goalkeeper had departed the pre-season tour of Asia but has now rejoined the team just in time for Sunday’s fixture at Wembley.
Slot Faces Positive Goalkeeping Dilemma
Despite Giorgi Mamardashvili impressing with two excellent saves against Athletic Bilbao earlier in the week, head coach Arne Slot will surely be pleased to have his first-choice keeper back.
Now, Slot must choose between continuing with the in-form Georgian or giving Alisson some valuable minutes, having played just once during pre-season.
Like when Caoimhin Kelleher served as Alisson’s backup, Liverpool once again find themselves well-equipped in the goalkeeping department—an enviable situation for most clubs in the Premier League.
Although Alisson missed three months of last season due to various injuries, the presence of a reliable alternative like Mamardashvili offers reassurance should a similar situation arise again.
Regardless of who gets the nod on Sunday, it’s encouraging to see Alisson back, fit, and in good spirits after attending to his family.
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