Alisson has revealed how Pep Guardiola’s vintage Barcelona side got him to where he is now – marching onwards to the Champions League final in Madrid with the Reds.
After clinching the Golden Glove award for keeping 21 clean sheets in the league and establishing himself as the Brazil No. 1, Alisson’s £65 million arrival from Roma has been a roaring success.
But the 25-year-old began his career at Internacional back in his native Brazil, which is where his playing style was also born.
“I love what I do, so I’ll always have the football in my hands,” the Reds ‘keeper told UEFA. “When I started school I played as a holding midfielder, then I went in goal which is where I felt more comfortable.
“Barcelona always played short and fast balls out from the keeper. At that time it was Victor Valdés. He liked to play with his feet a lot and so do I, because I always want to play a real part in the game.”
After making the move to Europe and signing for Roma, it was obviously the Reds who ended his Champions League dream when we beat the Serie A side in a thrilling semi-final clash last year.
Alisson stopped 79% of the shots he faced. That’s the best record of all premier league goalkeepers this season.
To put it into perspective, last season it was 56% for Karius & 59% for Mignolet.
One year & £65 million later we have a fine brazilian stopper on our hands🇧🇷🔥🧤 pic.twitter.com/b3Imb89RZ9
— hamza__official❗️ (@hamza_mazz) May 22, 2019
“Of course, we wanted more, we wanted to reach the final, but we were up against a strong Liverpool side,” he admitted.
“Now I’m on the other side and I’ve reached the final after another great comeback against Barcelona.
From his childhood inspiration of Pep’s imperious Barça team, to knocking the club out of the competition, it must have an added edge for Alisson.
Like most Liverpool fans, Alisson is clearly in love with the Champions League and feels most comfortable competing against the best of the best in Europe.
“I’m already very appreciative to be able to play in the final. Whenever I go out on the pitch and hear the Champions League anthem, it gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
“So when I get to the final, I’ll be doing what I love and I’m very grateful for that.”
Alisson’s debut season at Anfield could end with a sixth Champions League trophy for the club – maybe he can be a young ‘keeper’s Victor Valdés and inspire the generations to come. It could be Klopp’s Liverpool team that future kids will be looking up to.