Image Credits: Imago Images
Liverpool’s squad were back at the AXA Training Centre on Wednesday as preparations got underway for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace at Anfield.
With Chelsea’s Champions League push faltering and the end of the season fast approaching, Arne Slot will be eager to have as many players available as possible for what is a must-win fixture for the Reds to secure Champions League football.
However, the session brought with it some unwelcome news on the injury front, with the likes of Giorgi Mamardashvili , Alisson Becker, and Alisson all absent from training.
Sky Sports’ Vinny Connor was present at the AXA and provided an update – and the news surrounding the goalkeeping department in particular will cause concern ahead of the weekend.
“It’s not good news. Freddie Woodman was out there, there wasn’t any sign of Giorgi Mamardashvili or Alisson either,” he said.
“We didn’t expect to see Mamardashvili after he had stiches on a knee wound in that Merseyside derby which forced him off, and obviously we saw him replaced by Woodman.”
“At the same time, we maybe thought that Alisson might be joining in with the ‘keepers, but he hasn’t today.”
“There is hope that Alisson could be back for the Manchester United game, but at the moment he’s not training.”
“The expectation will be that Freddie Woodman will take the starting role against Crystal Palace [on Saturday].”
Mamardashvili is only expected to return to team training in around three weeks.
O’Connor also revealed that Joe Gomez was also not spotted in training after not featuring in the Merseyside derby win:
“There’s further injury worries because there was no Joe Gomez at training. Now he came on and lasted 22 minutes are so against PSG in the second leg, but wasn’t right for the Merseyside derby. It suggests he may not be ready to come back into things for that game against Crystal Palace.”
It is not the update supporters were hoping for, but there is at least some reason for cautious optimism.
Woodman impressed when called upon in the Merseyside derby, stepping in under pressure and acquitting himself well – a performance that will have done plenty to ease any nerves among the Anfield faithful.
If he is indeed handed the start against Palace, fans will do so knowing the Englishman is more than capable of filling in.
Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili were both absent from Liverpool training today 🙅
Freddie Woodman, who made his Premier League debut for the club against Everton, is expected to start against Crystal Palace on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/A7uUHc8bd6
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) April 22, 2026