It’s unusual for a keeper to be anyone’s favourite player, but Alisson Becker is that for many Reds – and for good reason.
Since joining Liverpool from Roma in the summer of 2018, the Brazilian has been one of the club’s most essential players, and his importance could grow even more this season.
This season, Liverpool will expect more from Alisson Becker than ever before.
For the first time under Jurgen Klopp, the Reds did not look like themselves last season, finishing fifth in the Premier League and missing out on Champions League football.
This season, Liverpool will expect more from Alisson Becker than ever before.
Many people wondered, “What went wrong?” So, what went well? If we’re being honest, not much, but Alisson is one man who can hold his head high.
Despite the Reds’ lack of protection, the keeper kept 14 clean sheets and narrowly missed out on his third Golden Glove medal.
Alisson’s dominance in goal has saved the Reds on countless occasions, and his calm presence has aided a shaky defensive set-up.
Even Virgil van Dijk, who hasn’t looked human throughout his time at Liverpool because to how fantastic he’s been, struggled at times last season.
The midfield was the weakest it’s ever been under Klopp, and now Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left Anfield. Changes are in the works.
One thing that hasn’t changed is the significance of Liverpool’s number one. With Henderson and Milner out, Alisson is a major member of the Reds’ senior management team, alongside Van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson, and Mohamed Salah.
With his Brazilian best mates Fabinho and Roberto Firmino already playing in Saudi Arabia, Alisson will be tasked with caring after new kid and fellow South American Alexis Mac Allister while also assisting Uruguayan Darwin Nuez in his transition.
Alisson is widely regarded as the best keeper in the league, and for good reason. Last season, the Brazilian’s 10.2’saved’ goals for the Reds were treble the next best in the league – Edouard Mendy and Kepa Arrizabalaga of Chelsea had a combined 5.1 goals for Chelsea.
A winning run at the end of the season ensured Liverpool secured a Europa League spot, but without Alisson in the net, that would not have been possible.
His excellent distribution was showcased during Liverpool’s 1-0 win over champions Manchester City at Anfield in October. The shot stopper found a surging Salah and he was able to slot beyond Ederson in the dying stages of the game.
Sky Sports pundit and former Manchester United right-back, Gary Neville, has always been vocal on the importance of having a world class goalkeeper.
He had previously criticized Simon Mignolet, claiming that Liverpool would never win the league with him in goal. Neville was correct. The Belgian wasn’t quite good enough, as Alisson has demonstrated. The Reds have won every major trophy since his arrival and have relied on him to be at his best, even when they are at their most dominant.
Five years with @LFC for Alisson! 🇧🇷
What has been his best moment in the #PL to date? 😎 pic.twitter.com/RrqyQYlN8L
— Premier League (@premierleague) July 19, 2023
One of Alisson’s best performances for Liverpool came in the biggest game of all, the Champions League final in 2019.
Liverpool gained an early lead thanks to Salah’s penalty, and they relied on their goalie to keep Tottenham Hotspur at bay as they won their seventh title in Madrid. Van Dijk was chosen official Player of the Match, although Alisson could have easily won.
If Wednesday’s pre-season friendly loss to Bayern Munich in Singapore is any indication, Liverpool will require Alisson to be better than ever. The defence failed in Klopp’s new system, and there is a yawning void in the middle.
With Southampton rejecting two bids for Romeo Lavia, Liverpool will likely go into the first Premier League game without a designated defensive midfielder. At this rate, it’s possible to outscore the opponent.
Going forward, the Reds are looking fluid and capable of creating multiple scoring chances, but the defence is a source of concern for many Liverpool fans.
The inverted right-back role of Alexander-Arnold occupies the midfield but leaves three defenders on the bench. Robertson isn’t used to sitting back and is leaving holes beyond Van Dijk to be exploited.
One thing is certain: teams will have chances against Liverpool, particularly in the early stages of the season, but getting past Alisson is a difficult feat in and of itself.
