Alisson: “I cried a lot…’ Brazilian opens up on heartbreaking decision to leave AS Roma

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Alisson decided to sign for Liverpool this summer after Jurgen Klopp sold him his vision for our club, but it was not without a heavy heart that the Brazilian made an exit.

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The goalkeeper became the world’s most expensive in his position for a short period of time, until Chelsea bought Kepa for an even larger sum.

He’s been a revelation at Anfield, putting in his best performance since joining on Saturday away at Stamford Bridge, making crucial one-on-one saves against Willian and Eden Hazard.

But Alisson has admitted that he almost stayed in Italy, having arrived there from Brazil two years previous.

“Leaving Rome was difficult,” he told Gazzetta dello Sport. “I cried a lot, together with my wife. It’s only right that I’m honest about it: I made a professional decision; a step forward in my career and for Roma, who earned a huge sum.

“I decided with my head to move to Liverpool, but my heart was full of tears. I spent two special years in Rome. My daughter was born there and I have a lot of friends there outside of football.

“Many times I’d spend the night walking the city streets: the Trevi fountain, in the dark, is so beautiful it moves you, but the Colosseum is my favourite place — you can breathe history there.

“[Staying in Rome] went through my mind a lot because I was so happy in Rome, but when a player decides where to play, it’s a much bigger discussion.

“I’ve got big ambitions and so do Liverpool, and now I’m playing in the biggest league in the world. [Serie A is] not far behind, it’s just different and less intense.”

We admire Alisson’s honesty. He has no reason to pretend he’s a Liverpool fan before arriving, and in truth, it makes no difference. Luis Suarez wasn’t a red, but Rickie Lambert was!

Soon though, he’ll very much have Liverpool in his heart, as many of our foreign imports do after they’ve been taken under the wing of the supporters.

Liverpool fans love Alisson and will support him wholeheartedly throughout his debut campaign. Hopefully, we can secure silverware and prove his difficult decision correct.

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