Alisson has absolutely no plans to shelve his instincts with the ball at his feet!
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Comparing Alisson to Liverpool’s greatest keepers of the past
The Brazilian earned a standing ovation at Anfield last Saturday, when he chipped the ball over an on rushing Brighton attacker’s head, before coolly laying it off to Virgil van Dijk.
He hasn’t conceded a goal yet, but has had a few worrying moments, where he’s had to scramble the ball away with his feet after being closed down quickly – although it has to be said his distribution has been largely phenomenal.
Alisson has explained why he plays so much and claimed that it’s been encouraged by Jurgen Klopp, while declaring that he’s not attempting to disrespect his opponents.
“I have fitted perfectly in the team and in the team’s style of play,” the 25-year-old told ESPN. “[Liverpool] like [the goalkeeper] to participate in the offensive phase and in shaping the game from the back.
“It gives me a lot of confidence to play with my feet and I have to be focused for 90 minutes. It has similar characteristics to the [Brazil national team].
“In Rome I was already trying to help in shaping the game but the style was a little bit different to what we do at Liverpool.
“I am very happy to be in this great club, with players of great quality and within the pitch they are showing a lot of confidence in me. I feel confident to do that here.
“It is already calculated. I take risks. Fans with heart problems have to be careful! But on the pitch, as I said before, I do not try to make of fun of a rival. It’s not to show that I can do this or that, but to help the team. It is to achieve targets.
“I make a dribble or a simple pass, knowing that if I lose the ball near the area the opponent can score. I am aware of what I do on the pitch, but I always do it to help the team. That’s why occasionally I also boot the ball into the stands.”
Naby Keita and Fabinho will prove to be exceptional signings, but Alisson could well be the missing piece of the jigsaw.
It’s been years and years since we’ve had a reliable no.1, and Alisson is not only a top shot-stopper, but probably the best keeper in the world with the ball at his feet.