Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has finally put a time-frame on Alisson's return from a calf injury.
The Brazilian picked up the injury during Liverpool's win over Norwich City at Anfield in the opening game of the Premier League season.
Since then, summer signing Adrian has deputised between the posts with Andy Lonergan signed as short-term cover.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's Premier League visit of Newcastle to Anfield, Klopp gave an update on Alisson, "Funnily enough, we had lunch together [just now]; he looks good and he is improving, but we cannot put any pressure on it.
"It was a really serious injury in the calf. It is now much better, of course, and that’s good for us and good for him, but we don’t know exactly [how long it will be].
"The target was always after the next international break [mid-October] he could be ready, but we don’t know.
"So, as I said, there is no pressure and hopefully everything will be fine for the rest of the season, that’s the plan."
Such a time scale would mean Alisson will miss Premier League games with Newcastle, Chelsea, Sheffield United and Leicester City, but should return for the October 20 trip to Manchester United.
During the week, Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg praised how Adrian had settled into the side in Alisson's absence, "Coming to Liverpool, there are high expectations but he has dealt with them really well. He has stayed calm and relaxed and shown a positive, confident manner, which helps the team a lot."
Naby Keita is also out of the Newcastle visit, but Klopp was more upbeat on the impending return of the Guinea midfielder, "Naby is close, much closer than Ali.
"I think he could be in training when we come back from Napoli next week."
Liverpool go into the weekend two-points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, and begin the defence of their Champions League crown away to Napoli on Tuesday.
The international break has been kind to the Premier League leaders, with no new injuries and both Mo Salah and Sadio Mané able to stay on Merseyside with Egypt and Senegal not seeing action.
"It’s in a very intense period to have these kind of five or six days off", Klopp told his pre-match news conference.
"They trained, they always train, but they don’t have to be here and do proper football sessions because usually we only have three players here so that makes no sense.
"This time there would have been five so we could have trained, but it still makes no sense and Sadio and Mo have still not the time off they needed."
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
