Alisson, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has admitted he intentionally missed matches for the club in order to take part in this summer’s 2026 World Cup.
The Brazil international is part of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad for the tournament and the five-time champions begin their match against Morocco on Saturday, so you can keep up with the latest World Cup updates here.
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Alisson has been brilliant for Liverpool and could be a key player for Brazil in this summer’s competition, but Reds fans may not be rooting for him very much after hearing he has deliberately missed club matches to prioritize the World Cup.
Alisson to miss Liverpool match due to World Cup priorities
Regarding his fitness, Alisson said there are no injury issues at the moment as he only missed the Liverpool game to focus on Brazil.
“I’m 100%,” he told Estadao, as quoted and translated by Sport Witness. “Sitting out the game at Liverpool was part of the plan to see if I was ready for the World Cup.”
It’s unclear whether these quotes probably don’t translate well, and it’s possible they do, but it does sound like Alisson is admitting that he missed the LFC game despite not actually being injured.
That wasn’t the worst thing for them, as the Merseyside giants had a decent back-up option in Giorgi Mamadashvili, but it doesn’t really describe the environment at Anfield that resulted in such a disappointing season.
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Alisson talks about his World Cup goals
Of course Alisson is only human, and who wouldn’t have the absolute determination to play in the World Cup, especially when it might be their last chance?
“My focus is on this World Cup. I’m going to face this as if it’s my last chance. I’m going to learn this in life and live each day. My focus is on this time. It’s a big opportunity to live another World Cup,” he said of his ambitions for the tournament.
“I am honored to reach the record of a goalkeeper who has played in three World Cups.
“I want to be in the other group. I want to be part of the World Cup champions, with the other 25 players called up. That’s my focus and the most important thing at the moment.”
