Liverpool’s goalkeeper, Alisson Becker, assured fans that he is “fine and just needs to follow protocols” after his club announced he would head back to Merseyside for further evaluation following a head injury he sustained while playing internationally.

Brazil secured a crucial 2-1 victory against Colombia, with a winning goal from Vinicius Junior scored nine minutes into injury time. However, there was concern for Alisson’s health after he collided head-on with Davinson Sanchez, a former Tottenham defender.

Both Alisson and Sanchez were substituted following the incident, and Sanchez was transported off the field on a stretcher. Brazil’s team doctor later confirmed that Alisson would undergo scans due to a suspected concussion.

A mouth-watering clash with Argentina awaits Brazil in the early hours of Wednesday (UK time), but Liverpool have confirmed that Alisson is on his way back to the club to be assessed by the club’s medical team – a big blow for the Selecao.

Alisson posted an Instagram story to allay any concerns over his condition, writing: “Hey guys, just to let you know I’m fine. Just have to follow the protocols! Thanks for the messages.”

The Reds will be hoping that Alisson is fine for the Merseyside derby clash with Everton on April 2, where victory would take the club a step closer to winning the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

“The first step is to perform the necessary tests and assessments and monitor the player over the next few days, which is the protocol,” Brazil doctor Rodrigo Lasmar said after the final whistle on Thursday.

“Alisson is normal. 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, so in cases of this suspicion, the recommendation is to substitute the player.”

Alisson is widely regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world and recently put in a terrific display away at Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 of the Champions League – the 32-year-old admitting post-match that the showing “was probably the performance of my life”.