Brazil Coach Dorival Junior Aims for Consistency to Achieve Copa America Success 

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
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Brazil Coach Dorival Junior Aims for Consistency to Achieve Copa America Success 

Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)
Brazil's coach Dorival Junior speaks during a press conference ahead of the Conmebol 2024 Copa America tournament group D football match between Brazil and Costa Rica at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California on June 23, 2024. (AFP)

Brazil coach Dorival Junior has identified balance and consistency as the keys to success ahead of Monday's Copa America opener against Costa Rica.

Dorival, who took over in January and has only coached four games, admitted that the Brazilian squad still lacked on-field stability, which he said was natural given their short time together.

"I have to find a balance for a team that was put together only three months ago, and after a certain period of 15 or 20 days of work they have to find themselves again," he said at a press conference on Sunday.

"In football you don't skip preparation phases in training, but that's why we try to accelerate each one of them to have a consistent and confident squad that can then use the individuality of its players to create opportunities."

The coach announced a starting line-up that included two new faces, Real Madrid center back Eder Militao and Atletico Mineiro full back Guilherme Arana.

"The starting line-up will have Militao and Arana. In every game, if necessary, there will be one or two changes. All the players are ready. None of them are below our expectations. We are prepared for any situation," the coach added.

New Real Madrid signing Endrick will not start against Costa Rica and is expected to come on in the second half, as Dorival called for "a bit of patience" with the 17-year-old striker.

"It's something that will happen naturally. It might not take long because he is extremely skillful. I'm in a hurry to get him on the pitch, but you have to have a certain balance. He has excellent skills and is one of the most promising players."

Brazil will also face Colombia and Paraguay in Group D.



Brazil Goalkeeper Alisson Set to Return from Injury for Liverpool in Premier League

Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
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Brazil Goalkeeper Alisson Set to Return from Injury for Liverpool in Premier League

Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
Liverpool's goalkeeper Alisson Becker attends a news conference at the San Siro Stadium, in Milan, Italy, Monday, Sept.16, 2024, ahead of Champions League soccer match between A.C. Milan and Liverpool on Tuesday. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker is back in training and is set to return to the team for the trip to Wolverhampton in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot gave a positive update on Friday on the Brazil international, who has missed the last two games — big wins over Bournemouth in the league and West Ham in the League Cup — because of a hamstring injury.

“We are expecting him in the whole (practice) session today," Slot said of Alisson. “We think he is available.”

Backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher replaced Alisson for the last two games.