Gironavs.Liverpool

The Brazil international has been on the sidelines for two months after he sustained a hamstring problem against Crystal Palace on October 5, since when Caoimhin Kelleher has been deputising admirably in between the sticks.

However, Arne Slot confirmed before the postponed Merseyside derby with Everton at the weekend that Alisson was "close" to returning, and he was spotted in training with his teammates on Monday morning.

Slot has not yet provided a pre-match update to the media - he will conduct his press conference once Liverpool land in Spain later on Monday - but a significant boost has already been confirmed by the Reds.

Alisson is one of 19 players to have made the journey to Girona for Tuesday's Champions League showdown, although it remains to be seen whether he is deemed fit enough to start or if Kelleher continues in between the sticks for the time being.

While Alisson is on the plane to Spain, Diogo Jota is not; the Portuguese attacker was also able to train fully on Monday morning but is not quite ready to make his comeback from the abdominal issue he suffered against Chelsea in October.

Jota, Tyler Morton missing from Liverpool squad

In addition, 22-year-old midfielder Tyler Morton is missing as expected after picking up a reported knock, depleting Slot's midfield resources further as Alexis Mac Allister serves his one-match suspension.

An appearance for Federico Chiesa was initially not out of the question after the Italian returned to action with the Under-21s last week, but the winger is now absent due to illness.

Kostas Tsimikas (ankle), Conor Bradley (hamstring) and Ibrahima Konate (knee) are all longer-term absentees for Liverpool, who are not expected to welcome any member of the trio back for at least a couple of weeks.

Thanks to Liverpool's senior absentees, there are spots on the plane for 20-year-old midfielder James McConnell and 21-year-old left-back James Norris, both of whom were spotted with the first-team group on Monday.

Liverpool are the only side to have won each of their first five Champions League games of the 2024-25 season, meaning that they are looking down on all other 35 teams at the top of the league phase table.

Meanwhile, Girona have lost four of their five European battles so far this season and are in 30th place, which would see them eliminated from the competition at the first hurdle.

Liverpool squad for Girona clash:

Alisson, Gomez, Endo, Van Dijk, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Nunez, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Gravenberch, McConnell, Jaros, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Norris, Quansah

Written by

Ben Knapton