Alisson Becker has single-handedly (well, with two hands really) won not one, not two, but three Golden Gloves this season after officially being handed the award once the whistle went in Brazil’s final victory in the Copa América.
His £65 million arrival at Anfield last summer has finally rectified an issue that has troubled the Reds for quite some time. But, an assured 21 clean sheets in the Premier League saw him awarded with the top-flight’s Golden Glove.
The Copa América was nearly completed without A Seleção conceding a single goal in the tournament, until a somewhat controversial VAR penalty was converted by Peru’s Paolo Guerrero.
Still, five clean sheets in the quintet of games leading up to the showpiece was more than enough to see the Reds No. 1 crowned the competition’s meanest ‘keeper.
OFFICIAL:
Alisson is the golden glove winner of the 2019 Copa America. pic.twitter.com/VTCUJxi9uE
— Brasil Football 🇧🇷 (@BrasilEdition) July 7, 2019
To add to Brazil’s ninth Copa América victory, Alisson was obviously hugely influential in the Reds winning their sixth European Cup back on June 1st in Madrid.
In the Champions League too, the 26-year-old kept six clean sheets: the joint-highest with Marc-André ter Stegen.
So, that’s the Golden Glove in the Premier League, the Champions League, and the Copa América.
Furnished with silverware and gold accoutrements, some have suggested that the Brazilian could add to his prizes with the addition of the Ballon d’Or. A ‘keeper hasn’t won it since the legendary Lev Yashin back in 1963 – could that change this year?
Gianluigi Buffon finished second in 2006, while Manuel Neuer took bronze in 2014 – like, defenders, it’s not often that ‘keepers are in top contention for football’s highest individual accolade.
A 97-point finish in the league, and winning the other two competitions he’s starred in, Alisson’s just had the best season of his career to date. At just 26, the Reds have arguably got the world’s safest pair of hands on their hands for what will hopefully be another decade to come.
On his hopes for the Ballon d’Or, this win at the Copa América should see him at least push his case for a top-ranking shortlist alongside Reds teammates Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mané, and Mohamed Salah, together with perennial contenders Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
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