Liverpool have received a significant scheduling and fitness boost ahead of a grueling winter fixture run after goalkeeper Alisson Becker was once again left out of the Brazil national team squad.
The Reds are currently navigating a demanding stretch of nine fixtures in four weeks that spans the September and October international break, with an upcoming home clash against Arsenal on Sunday. Trips to Fenerbahce and Crystal Palace will immediately precede the final international window of the calendar year.
When club football resumes in November, Liverpool will face an intense sequence of nine matches in 27 days. The run kicks off with a Premier League fixture against Manchester United on November 22, followed by a Champions League journey to face Club Brugge and the first Merseyside derby of the season against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on November 29. The demanding period also features domestic league encounters with Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, alongside a League Cup quarter-final against AFC Bournemouth.
Fortunately for the Merseyside club, Alisson will be spared a 13,660-mile round-trip to Singapore, where Brazil is scheduled to play friendlies against Japan on November 14 and Singapore in Kallang on November 17. Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti opted to omit the 34-year-old goalkeeper, just as he did during the previous international break in September and October.
Despite leaving the veteran shot-stopper out of his traveling party, Ancelotti affirmed that Alisson remains his undisputed first choice between the posts. Explaining his selection strategy, the manager noted that coaching staff already know the player’s capabilities entirely.
We don’t need to test Alisson, we know him very well, Ancelotti said, adding that the goalkeeper remains the best option for the squad. When the Copa America begins, he will be called up, and it’s the same for the others. Right now, it’s time to observe, refresh the squad, and help young players reach their full potential.
Alisson, who holds 83 international caps, was an ever-present for the Selecao at the 2026 World Cup before their unexpected round-of-16 exit against Norway. He has remained the primary option for his country when fit since Ancelotti took charge in May 2025, continuing a long tenure as his nation’s number one.
However, the veteran was once again omitted alongside several other high-profile figures. Gabriel Magalhaes, Douglas Santos, Bruno Guimaraes, Danilo Santos, Vinicius Junior, Raphinha, Endrick, and Rayan stood as the sole survivors from the 26-man World Cup squad, with Marquinhos also dropping out. Ancelotti called up six uncapped players and six domestic-based athletes for the upcoming fixtures, while shaking up the goalkeeping department by selecting Bento and Lucas Perri alongside Pedro Morisco.
For Liverpool, the ongoing international omission offers a welcome safeguard. The Brazilian goalkeeper has dealt with various muscle injuries in recent seasons. Having appeared in all 11 matches across the Premier League and Champions League so far this campaign, Alisson will secure a crucial two-week recovery window before domestic duties resume against Manchester United.
