Liverpool Have a Goalkeeping Gem in Alisson Becker

The claim from the title is a no-brainer actually and some would say it’s just stating the obvious but it’s none the less a reason to talk about how Alisson Becker has gone to justify every single penny invested in his last summer.

Eyebrows were raised when Liverpool broke a then-world record fee for a goalkeeper by investing £65 million to bring Alisson from AS Roma in the summer.

Liverpool’s long-documented troubles with goalkeepers culminated with Loris Karius costing the Reds dearly in the Champions League final against Real Madrid and drastic measures had to be taken. Jurgen Klopp decided to dig deep into the wallet and fork out a hefty sum of money on the Brazilian and it’s fair to say his wise investment has already repaid itself.

Commanding Presence

Coming off from a commanding performance in a 3-1 win at Burnley on Wednesday night, Alisson Becker deserves all the praise he could get. In the last two games alone – at Burnley and against Everton – the Brazilian was directly responsible for winning Reds points on his own.

The 26-year-old first kept his ninth clean sheet of the season in the Merseyside Derby last weekend when he stopped a rampant Theo Walcott on the counter and then cleared a point-blank header from Andre Gomes before Joe Gomez cleared the ball off the goal line.

Alisson has been a fortifying presence in Liverpool goal. His mentality has inspired confidence in and around the back four with Liverpool players now feeling reassured knowing they have a world-class keeper holding their back.

Winner’s Mentality

The Brazilian appears calm and collected between the sticks which is exactly how you want your goalkeeper to look like as you go about the high-octane frivolities around the pitch.

His decision-making has been fully displayed against Burnley this Wednesday when the Brazilian made a string of game-changing interventions and decisions. Former AS Roma custodian first made a crucial right-handed save to deny a stoppage-time equalizer with his team leading 2-1, while what happened moments later proves Alisson’s attacking contribution as well.

Attacking attributes and qualities are now a necessity in a modern goalkeeper – such as Alisson – but the Brazilian’s forward-thinking proved to be the key in kicking the Liverpool attack forward.

Having pulled a remarkable top-corner save, Alisson did remarkably wise to keep the ball in play and spring a quick counter with a decisive throw towards Daniel Sturridge. The English striker pushed it forward to Mo Salah who then lobbed it up to Xherdan Shaqiri sealing victory in a 10 second-move that hammered the final nail into Burnley’s coffin.

Record Contribution

The win ensured Reds remained unbeaten in 15 Premier League matches this season and keep up the chase behind Manchester City. The player who conceded just six goals all season made a direct contribution in helping Liverpool to their best-ever start in the club’s 126 years long history.

With 39 points to their name, this is the most points Reds have ever collected after 15 games.

This record highlights the effort Liverpool have put in this season and the improvement compared to last season when the Reds leaked goals and lost points where they actually should not have.

And it is exactly Alisson who’s made a direct contribution in changing this aspect of Liverpool’s game, making him worth every penny invested and proving he truly is one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Liverpool continue the high pace of action with a trip to Bournemouth on Saturday and with Alisson in goal, the Reds are currently given 11/5 betting odds to emerge victorious while maintaining a clean sheet.

Will Alisson manage to record his 10th clean sheet in the league?