Alisson’s 5 greatest Liverpool performances
Few signings have been extra transformative in Liverpool’s trendy historical past than Alisson.
Having lengthy suffered with inconsistent and error-prone goalkeepers, the Reds finally splashed the money on the Brazilian in 2018 as Jurgen Klopp started forming his tremendous squad. It did not take lengthy to determine himself as one of many world’s biggest stoppers.
Liverpool‘s immense success over latest years has been partially constructed on a formidable defensive backbone, with Alisson proving an era-defining signing. He has loved numerous match-winning performances throughout his time on Merseyside and rightfully takes his place among the many pantheon of all-time membership legends.
Listed below are Alisson’s 5 greatest performances in a Liverpool shirt.
If we have been rating Alisson’s most essential saves, then this could take high spot.
Liverpool wanted victory at house to Napoli throughout the closing recreation of the 2018/19 Champions League group stage to progress and Mohamed Salah had supplied them a one-goal benefit throughout a largely dominant efficiency.
However the Reds did not put their Italian guests to mattress and nerves started to set in round Anfield within the closing levels. These jitters transferred to the pitch as Napoli pushed frantically for an equaliser, with some sloppy defending permitting Arkadiusz Milik a wonderful alternative to change into the hero within the fourth minute of stoppage time.
But it surely was Alisson who would steal the plaudits as an alternative, stretching each fibre of his being to rebuff Milik’s effort from simply eight yards as Liverpool booked their spot within the knockout rounds.
Liverpool’s slender victory over Napoli supplied them their route into the knockouts, which finally noticed them pitted in opposition to Barcelona within the semi-finals. Having been crushed 3-0 throughout the first leg at Camp Nou, the Reds proceeded to provide one of many biggest comebacks in Champions League historical past as they beat their Catalan guests 4-0 at Anfield.
Everyone knows the story of this fabled triumph however few keep in mind the numerous half Alisson performed of their development to the ultimate. With the away targets rule nonetheless energetic on the time, a Barcelona strike would have required Liverpool to attain 5, however their defence held agency to maintain a massively important clear sheet up in opposition to former gamers Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho, in addition to Lionel Messi, in fact.
Alisson produced 5 saves – all of which got here from photographs contained in the penalty space – to maintain Barcelona at bay, in addition to six recoveries as Liverpool staged a miraculous turnaround.
Having been important in Liverpool’s journey to the ultimate, Alisson produced one other sterling efficiency within the showpiece occasion. The Reds’ 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur was removed from a classic European encounter, with Klopp’s aspect completely satisfied to sit down again on their early lead and depend on the ‘Spursiness’ of their opposition.
However Liverpool have been nonetheless depending on the sprawling saves of their South American stopper, who rebuffed eight Tottenham efforts en path to lifting the trophy.
Whereas they weren’t the best particular person saves of his profession, Alisson confirmed immense composure on the large stage to disclaim teasing efforts from Christian Eriksen, Son-Heung-min and Lucas Moura as Liverpool secured a sixth European crown.
In direction of the loss of life of the 2020/21 season, Alisson proved he can present miracles in each containers.
Liverpool’s Premier League title defence had not gone to plan following Virgil van Dijk’s prolonged damage layoff and the Reds have been left clambering for Champions League qualification come the tip of the marketing campaign. A visit to West Bromwich Albion appeared set to dent their top-four aspirations, with the encounter tied 1-1 heading into stoppage-time.
However Alisson showcased his leaping capacity within the West Brom penalty space within the fifth minute of stoppage time, rising above the house defence and redirecting a luxurious header into the far nook to safe the unlikeliest of wins.
Liverpool went on to complete third earlier than reaching the Champions League closing the next season.
“It was in all probability the efficiency of my life,” Alisson admitted after the ultimate whistle of Liverpool’s smash-and-grab Champions League victory over Paris Saint-Germain.
How can we argue with the 32-year-old?
Liverpool left the primary leg of their final 16 tie with the French aspect battered and bruised after a relentless onslaught on their purpose, however nonetheless someway walked away with victory after Harvey Elliott snatched victory for the travelling Reds late in proceedings.
Nonetheless, there would have been no match left to win had it not been for the heroics of Alisson. He made 9 saves – a number of of which have been merely astonishing – managed 11 recoveries and prevented 2.26 targets in Paris as Liverpool inexplicably stored a clear sheet.
It was not solely the most effective particular person displaying of Alisson’s profession, it was one of many all-time goalkeeping masterclasses within the Champions League.
