Jurgen Klopp pencils in date for Alisson’s Liverpool debut

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Liverpool fans will have to wait until next month to see their new goalkeeper in action for the first time.

Alisson recently completed his £65million move from Roma but remains on his break after returning from the World Cup with Brazil.

The 25-year-old isn’t part of the 29-man squad that will compete across America in the International Champions Cup tournament over the next week.

His Reds bow is likely to arrive on August 4 when Liverpool face Napoli in Dublin in their penultimate pre-season game.

Besides outlining Alisson’s likely debut, Jurgen Klopp has also confirmed that he will slot straight in as Liverpool’s first choice goalkeeper.

He told reporters, per the Telegraph: “He will play, of course. When Alisson is ready, he will be in our goal. We all need to help him so he can perform as good as possible.”

“He is desperate to play. He could have joined us here in America but it made absolutely no sense.”

Alisson – image by Liverpoolfc.com

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Klopp added: “He had a long year and, as Brazil’s No 1, it was quite an intense year, so I sent him on holiday again. There will still be two games to play and West Ham is only the first game of the season, not the last one.”

“I would say he plays in Dublin [against Napoli].”

Until then, Loris Karius is likely to play a prominent role as he looks to rediscover some confidence in somewhat pressure-free circumstances as Alisson’s backup.

The German is the only senior goalkeeper touring America with the Reds following Danny Ward’s move to Leicester City and with Simon Mignolet still on a break after returning from Russia.

Youth shot-stoppers Kamil Grabara and Caoimhin Kelleher are also in the squad and could be given first-team opportunities on the back of impressive seasons for the U18s and U23s.

Alisson’s fell new arrival Xherdan Shaqiri is expected to join up with his new teammates when they arrive in New Jersey for their second stop in the States.

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