LAST night Alisson Becker had a big moment in a big week.
Liverpool deserved the victory but they wouldn’t have got it had Alisson not spread himself wide and strong to deny Arkadiusz Milik from point-blank range in stoppage time. We’d be looking at the Europa League and buses to Baku. Instead we’ve potential ties with Barcelona, Juventus and the rest of the big lads in the last 16. Fine margins indeed.
People sneering that it “just hit him” are missing the point. For a start, how many shots from that range hit a goalie and go in? This one doesn’t because Alisson is not just positioned well but is bold and firm with his actions. The usual Manchester attention seekers, ironically putting it down to luck, should try and think back to Peter Schmeichel. Absolutely loads used to just hit him. Because he’d already done the hard work.
I must admit I was sceptical about spending so much on a goalkeeper in the summer, especially after watching Alisson in the World Cup where he looked decent but not much more. Mainly because I was dubious about how much a goalkeeper could actually improve us.
Obviously after the Kyiv debacle we needed a new goalkeeper. But at the price and at the inevitable expense of spending elsewhere? An analysis of our results last season saw seven draws at home, including 0-0s against Stoke and West Brom, who both went down. Wouldn’t a better use of money for those games be more firepower on the bench? Couldn’t we have signed the lad Arsenal got and spent the rest on a striker?
There weren’t many league games last season where you could say our goalkeepers cost us points. Arsenal away is one obvious one. There were probably others. But if you contrast that with the amount of games a Liverpool goalkeeper has nothing to do, it didn’t really add up to me.
I just felt the value of any goalkeeper compared to an outfield player was summed up in Liverpool’s home game against Roma. Liverpool battered Roma because they were much better at football and there was very little the handsome lad in their goal could do about it. If you want to beat a team, you need better outfield players and a ‘keeper to do his job.
On this occasion it was me who was missing the point. It’s not just what points a goalkeeper costs you but what points they win you. This week Alisson has been winning points. Not by not messing up but doing things you wouldn’t have criticised him for not doing. At Burnley he is clawing shots from under the crossbar and starting rapid counter attacks. Against Napoli he’s concentrating until the last moment before saving a shot that screamed goal.
But don’t just listen to me, the stats speak for themselves. Alisson’s save ratio is the best in the league and a ridiculous 20 per cent higher than the lads who played last season. His impact has led to calm, solidity and lots of clean sheets. His teammates clearly love him. So they should. It might be too early to say he’s the best in the league, but he’s definitely in the top one.
I’m delighted Liverpool continued their policy of ignoring me and got the very best they can for each position. Like the centre half, they saw a problem, went out and got the best available by paying the necessary price. It sends a message to those inside and outside the club that we aren’t messing about. The necessary class to get in this team is as close as possible to world.
For the goalkeeper, he doesn’t need to worry about being close. He is there already. Don’t believe me? The stats and saves speak for themselves.
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“Reina was good, but Alisson is the best goalkeeper I’ve seen play for Liverpool.” 👏
🎥 Watch last night’s ‘Post-Match Pint’ in full here on our YouTube channel 👉 https://t.co/KECcj5vasI pic.twitter.com/j54OxfLtMS
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) December 12, 2018
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This article pretty much reflects my journey with the Alison signing. Even in the first 10 or so league games he didn’t seem to have alot to do and let in some goals (he should save everything, right?). It is clear now this is nonsense. Here’s a lad whose confidence an ability are vital. Not just for the players around him but for the fans also. Sure he likes a late pass now and then but who cares. I can now watch a cross into our box without shitting myself. I used to panic anytime an opposition player entered the liverpool half. The last 10 minutes of any game used to be fucking awful. Thanks to that man and those around him as this is no longer the case.
Same. I was cynical of some of my mates who were saying Alisson is top drawer. I mean, how many Roma games do they really watch? Now though…jeez. He’s a beast of a keeper. And the best thing is when he makes a mistake (which he does), you just shrug. One of them you know? If you’ve got the best what else can you do?
I would add – when he makes a mistake – he doesn’t go to pieces – he doesn’t dwell on it
He doesn’t look like he’s about to collapse under the pressure
He can marry my daughter, hello my wife!!!!!!!
Hell*
After smoke hands, the Handsome hologram and the other fella who has empty crisp packets for hands, we had to do something. Even that gingy Hungarian fella who stared as the creepy neighbour in the burbs (that one with the long shorts or short longs and mad gingy sideburns). We have had some dross haven’t we for far too long. So I am glad we splurged the cash and got Alisson, who could end up being better than Clemence (and that would take some doing, but he could be the one).
If we’d had Alisson in goal in Kiev, then we’d be European Champions last term. End of. plus you just know it that if Ramos had tried elbowing Becker that the next time the ball came in the box he’d be flattened by this fella.
So personally I was made up we got him and even more so now after what he has done thus far.
@J Agree with you on most except for that Ramos fella. I think you need the level of Souness to remind who he is playing.
Though we may yet get a chance to see what you said in the next round.
Nice thoughts on Alisson John.
He’s done enough for me, so far, but I think the tougher days are coming.
United are probably relishing the prospect of damaging our run (Mourinho’s favorite tactic) knowing we’re light at the back after Gomez’s and Matip’s injury.
Let’s hope Alisson can increase his price tag over the course of the Christmas fixture congestion.
They say great keepers can save up to 15 points a season, well Alisson has saved about 8 already this season for certain