What we know as Brazil goalkeeper returns to Liverpool following collision that knocked out Sanchez

Alisson is heading back to Liverpool after sustaining an injury during Brazil’s Fifa 2026 World Cup qualifier against Colombia.

The Reds goalkeeper’s involvement in the game ended prematurely because of a collision with opposition defender Davinson Sanchez.

Liverpool are 12 points clear at the top of the Premier League with nine games remaining and their first-choice number one will hope to be part of their run-in.

Here’s the latest on Alisson’s injury, including how long he might be out for and what Brazil’s team doctor has said about the incident.

Alisson and Davinson Sanchez had to both be taken from the field, Sanchez on a stretcher, following a horrific head clash during Brazil’s victory 🤕

A fresh injury worry for Liverpool’s Premier League run-in for Arne Slot…😫 pic.twitter.com/VFbQITpS7A

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 21, 2025

Brazil v Colombia: What happened to Alisson?

Alisson was left with a mark on his head following the clash while challenging for the ball with Sanchez, who spent six years with Tottenham before joining current club Galatasaray in 2023.

Players from both sides showed their concern after Sanchez was knocked out, but the centre-back returned to his feet before being replaced by Carlos Cuesta with around 15 minutes of regular time remaining.

Alisson is said to have shown signs of dizziness and was substituted for Bento, a team-mate of five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi club Al-Nassr.

Real Madrid livewire Vinicius Junior’s 99th-minute goal gave Brazil a 2-1 win in the game in Brasilia, where Barcelona forward Raphinha scored a sixth-minute penalty to put the hosts ahead before Liverpool’s Luis Diaz equalised with four minutes of the first half to play.

BREAKING: Alisson Becker has left the Brazil squad and returned to Liverpool due to injury.

Arsenal’s Gabriel and Newcastle’s Bruno Guimarães also return to their clubs after their yellow cards against Colombia mean they are banned for the next match of the international break. pic.twitter.com/JZHNzDR8K6

— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 21, 2025

Alisson injury: How long could he be out for?

Medical protocols would require Alisson to be rested for five days if he suffered concussion, although Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lasmar was reportedly hopeful that the 32-year-old could feature in the Selecao’s qualifier in Argentina on Wednesday (00:00 GMT) before CT and MRI scans were carried out.

“Alisson is normal,” Lasmar said, via Globo. “I believe you saw the images of him on the bench and after the game. He is completely normal now, without any complaints.

“During the treatment on the field, he did not report any fainting or memory loss. He was conscious and oriented the whole time.

“We substituted him because he had minor complaints; he thought he was a little slower and there was some possibility of a concussion. In cases of this suspicion, the recommendation is to substitute the player.”

Alisson is selection 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/lzDLM0l8f1

– Liverpool FC Brazil (@lfcbrasil) March 19, 2025

“If all the tests are negative and normal, we will then perform a cognitive test and evaluate the player. If everything is normal, we will conduct a series of observation tests over the next few days to see whether or not he would be able to travel with us.

“The first step is to perform the necessary tests and assessments and monitor the player over the next few days, which is the protocol.”

Will Alisson play in Liverpool’s next game?

Liverpool announced on Friday evening that Alisson was travelling back to be assessed by club medical staff.

They host much-improved Everton in their next match, with the second Merseyside derby of the season taking place on April 2 (8pm GMT).

That means the Champions League and Premier League winner with the club will have around 12 days in which to recover from any injury before he could feature at Anfield.

Alisson injuries

Alisson missed 12 games in all competitions earlier this season after being substituted with a hamstring injury at Crystal Palace on October 5.

He sat out two games with a thigh injury, with Caoimhin Kelleher the preferred deputy in the Premier League and in Liverpool’s two-game FA Cup campaign this season.

Republic of Ireland international Kelleher, who is under contract until the end of the 2025/26 season, also played against PSV in the Champions League and in four EFL Cup games, including Liverpool’s defeat in the final to Newcastle.

Czech Vitezslav Jaros replaced Alisson for the bench for the closing 11 minutes at Palace and played throughout their win at Brighton & Hove Albion in the EFL Cup.