JUST WHAT DOCTOR DID NOT ORDER!
Alisson defied the medics to make rapid return from injury
ALISSON has revealed he refused to listen to doctor’s orders as a rigorous training regime enabled him to slice his projected rehabilitation time in half.
Liverpool’s No 1 made a welcome return to Jurgen Klopp’s team on Saturday against Sheffield United, 21 days after he damaged his shoulder ligaments in a training ground collision. Initial indications suggested he would be out until mid-November.
Alisson’s importance to Klopp’s team was shown when Adrian, his deputy, made mistakes during a 7-2 defeat at Aston Villa at the start of this month.
Liverpool’s defence do not look the same when Alisson is not playing and — even with Virgil van Dijk missing — there was re assurance again at the weekend.
Alisson suffered two separate major injuries last season — a ruptured calf muscle and a hamstring issue — but he was determined not to miss any more football in this campaign and worked around the clock to get back between the posts.
‘I prayed a lot,’ said Alisson. ‘Also I did a lot of sessions of treatment. It was every day for five or six hours at the club, getting treatment with the physios, working with the fitness department and after two weeks, I was able to be together with the goalie coaches again.
‘We started doing catches. I wasn’t able to dive but after two and a half weeks I started to dive. Then, three days before the Sheffield United game, I start to work hard — facing hard shots, doing full range diving, so on Friday I gave the green light to the boss.
‘I believe my faith and working hard helps me i n this f ast recovery. Every injury you have on the ligament, you still feel something weird. It’s not pain but you feel it for a couple of weeks. It’s nothing that puts limits on my way to play.’
Alisson will be between the posts for tonight’s Champions League assignment against FC Midtjylland, and Liverpool will be expected to maintain their 100 per cent start to Group D. The Brazil international has no concerns about turning out again within 72 hours.
‘I’m really 100 per cent able to play and I am comfortable with that ,’ said Alisson. ‘It is good to be back and I’m really happy. I try to give my best and I have the top physios on my side.
‘As soon as the doctor said it was going to be four to six weeks, I said: “No Doc — we go to two, three weeks maximum”. He agreed with me and we decided to go for it.’
This is the first time Liverpool have faced Danish opposition in Europe since Brondby knocked them out of the UEFA Cup in 1995. They should have too much firepower for Midtjylland but Klopp does not want to see any mistakes.
‘ They are an experienced team,’ said Klopp. ‘They have good defenders, good footballing midfielders, speed on the wings. They have a clear plan. We have a clear plan as well which is adaptable. We have to make decisions before the game and a lot during the game. I expect a proper fight.’